What You Should Do if You Dislocate Your Temporomandibular Joint

Posted on 4/20/2016 by Renee Bancroft

A women suffering from a dislocated temporomandibular joint causing her pain!

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint found in front of your lower ear that allows you to move your jaw. This is a bat and socket joint, and at times, it can become dislocated.

This can be due to trauma or from loose TMJ ligaments. Regardless of the cause, it is crucial that you contact a dentist or oral surgeon right away in order to have your condition evaluated and treated, as the problem won't go away on its own.

Until you treat the issue, you will continue to experience symptoms like significant pain and discomfort, as well as a jaw that locks into position.

Treating a Dislocated Temporomandibular Joint

When it comes to treating a dislocated temporomandibular joint, relaxing the muscles needs to be the first step. This is necessary so that they condyle is able to return to the normal position.

Some people need local anesthetic injected into the joint or IV muscle relaxants in order to relax the spasms.

Next, the condyle will need to be moved back into its proper position. Your oral surgeon will do this by pulling the lower jaw downward while moving the tip of the chin upward so that the condyle is freed. Then, the ball will be guided back into the socket.

Recovering from a Dislocated Temporomandibular Joint

After you joint has been relocated, you are going to feel some pain, discomfort, and soreness for a while. Your oral surgeon may be able to prescribe medication to help with this.

You should also stick to a liquid or soft diet for several days so that stress and jaw movement are minimized, and you should avoid foods that are difficult to chew. Your oral surgeon will provide you with any other aftercare instructions that you should need to follow.

Please contact us if you have any questions about a dislocated temporomandibular joint.

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