Diagnosis of the fracture of the jaw | The broken jaw

Diagnosis of the fracture of the jaw

The diagnosis of a jaw fracture is confirmed by clinical and radiographic signs. The clinical signs include an occlusal disorder, which means that the teeth no longer fit together perfectly. Furthermore, gaps or steps may have developed which were not present before the fracture.

An abnormal mobility of the upper jaw also indicates a fracture. The dentist can definitely diagnose the resulting fragments as fractures by rubbing them against each other, as they produce a typical noise. This rubbing against each other is called crepitation.

Bruising, swelling and numbness may also occur, but these are not reliable clinical signs of a fracture. With the additional imaging procedures such as x-rays or DVT, a fracture can be definitely diagnosed with certainty. These images then reveal interruptions in the bone structure that indicate a fracture.

Which symptoms accompany a broken jaw?

Accompanying symptoms of a jaw fracture vary depending on the cause. Accidents and strong external forces are likely to cause bruising and severe swelling. The bruises can appear on the eyes, temples and cheek region and limit the function of this tissue.

The swelling can cause numbness on the side, which usually disappears after the swelling. Due to the swollen tissue structures, a nerve can be blocked so that the patient feels nothing or less than before in the treated areas. Swelling and hematomas can also cause severe pain.

Furthermore, a jaw opening disorder or a jaw closing disorder can also occur. In many cases, a proper bite is no longer possible, so that any function of the upper or lower jaw is impaired. The temporomandibular joints and their extensions can also deviate and cause a crooked position of the mouth.

Typical painful symptoms of fractures in the jaw area are compression pain and pressure pain. In the case of fractures of the jaw joint head or the rising part of the lower jaw, the broken part compresses the joint and causes discomfort, since both sides of the jaw are now subjected to different loads. If the broken pieces of bone are displaced, the pointed ends of the fractures can press on soft tissue in surrounding areas, causing severe pressure pain.Pinching of nerves and vessels can also cause complaints that are hardly bearable. After fixation and successful therapy, however, the symptoms are usually completely relieved.