Car Crashes and Jaw Injuries

Car Crashes and Jaw Injuries

While most people are familiar with the range of severity of arm and leg fractures, jaw injuries are often overlooked. However, these can be quite severe and have a variety of adverse impacts on someone's quality of life. With all of the functions that people use their jaw for, it is important to understand the diverse array of injuries and how these occur.

Jaw injuries have the potential to be serious and can occur in many different ways. Some of the ways that these traumatic injuries can result include:

Auto Accidents: Auto accidents are some of the most common ways that jaw injuries, particularly injuries to the mandible, can occur. When the car stops short, people can smack their face on the steering wheel. This can lead to a fracture of the jaw along with other types of bone fractures, including facial fractures.

Sports Injuries: People who play competitive sports should wear a mouth guard not only to protect their teeth but also to protect their jaw. Contact sports that result in accidental collisions between two people can lead to jaw injuries.

Physical Assault: Physical assaults can also lead to jaw injuries. Someone who sustains blunt trauma to either side of the face can be left with serious injuries to the jaw, including a maxillary fracture.

A Review: Types of Injuries

Jaw injuries can range in both their type and severity. Some of the more common injuries to the jaw include:

Mandibular Fracture: The mandible is the bottom part of the jaw and is the bone that holds the bottom row of teeth in place. This bone is a hinge joint that opens and closes, allowing people to both chew and talk. Extreme force to either side of this bone can lead to a fracture, leading to severe pain while moving the bone.

Maxillary Fracture: The maxilla can also be fractured. The maxilla is the top half of the jaw and holds the top row of teeth. This is also one of the numerous facial bones, and a fracture of the maxilla is often accompanied by fractures to other bones in the face.

TMJ Disorder: The TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) is the joint that allows the mandible to move. Severe injuries to this joint can cause the muscles to spasm, leading to pain while moving the mandible, and is often called “lockjaw.”

Watch YouTube Video: Top Three Exercises for TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint Pain/Disorder. Two physical therapists demonstrate the three top exercises for a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Treatment and Recovery

 

Depending on the type and severity of the injury, the procedure is going to vary. Severe fractures may require surgery to repair while hairline fractures may require immobilization without surgery. Some minor injuries may need medications to control the symptoms. Regardless, an operation of the jaw can be a complicated situation. People may not be allowed to move their jaw for weeks, making it difficult to eat or speak. This can have an adverse impact on someone's quality of life. However, it is necessary to ensure a full medical recovery.