A lockjaw is the inability or restriction to open the mouth. A lockjaw describes only the symptoms and not the illness. If the cause of a lockjaw is a cramping of the chewing muscles, it is called a trismus.
The lockjaw can be classified according to its severity or localization. When classified according to severity, the difference in the incisal edges, which corresponds to the measurement of the mouth opening, is used to determine grade one, two or three, depending on how far the patient can open his mouth. Grade one describes only a slight or subjectively perceptible mouth opening disorder. Grade two describes the maximum mouth opening of 10mm and grade three of 1mm. The localization differentiates whether the lockjaw occurs on one side of the jaw or affects both halves of the jaw.
Causes of a lockjaw
The causes of a lockjaw are numerous and varied, making diagnosis difficult.
- The inability to open the mouth can be caused by the temporomandibular joint. A disease of the temporomandibular joint, such as osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint or a fracture of the jaw can be a reason for a jaw clamp.
- Jumped out jaw joints are also a reason why the patient cannot open his mouth anymore.
- A change in the salivary glands can also impede the opening of the mouth.
Swelling, inflammation and tumors of the salivary glands can be the cause of the lockjaw.
- Furthermore, a fracture of the bony structures of the skull as well as the zygomatic bone is also a possible reason for a lockjaw.
- If anesthesia is used during dental treatment, the muscle can also be injured by the sting of the syringe. This injury forms a bruise, which can also cause a jaw clasp to occur or is caused by an inflammatory reaction after the wisdom teeth have erupted. If the breakthrough is difficult and a lot of soft tissue has to be displaced by the teeth, mucous membrane pockets often develop, which become very inflamed and thus hinder the opening of the mouth.
- In addition, a tonsil abscess can also cause a mouth opening disorder.
A jaw clamp can occur after a wisdom tooth surgery.
In the case of a lockjaw, the mouth opening is disturbed or prevented. This problem occurs often and especially when all four wisdom teeth are removed in one session. During this procedure, the jaw must be stretched as far as possible to reach the wisdom teeth at all and to create enough visibility.
Through this opening, the masticatory muscles are often overstretched and can no longer perform their functions properly due to cramping. The forces exerted by levers and forceps can also cause a mouth opening disorder, which can continue for several weeks after the procedure. Local anesthesia with a syringe can also cause a jaw clamp.
The puncture of the syringe can irritate the muscle so much that a bruise is formed. This hematoma prevents the chewing muscles from executing the mouth opening and causes pain. Failure to treat a bacterial infection of the throat can spread to the tonsils and form an abscess.
This abscess hinders swallowing and also makes it more difficult to open the mouth. If the patient is not treated, the resulting lockjaw becomes worse until breathing difficulties and sepsis develop and the condition is life-threatening. In sepsis, the local inflammation passes into the systemic circulation and attacks the vital organs.
Therefore, a doctor or dentist should be consulted immediately if swallowing difficulties and a lockjaw has developed. Waiting can have devastating consequences. See below: Almond abscess
All articles in this series:
