jaw locking and can't open it. what can i do to open it up?

Question

What can cause left side of my jaw to lock to where I can't open mouth completely wide. I have to shift jaw to right to "unlock" it w/ a hard, loud pop?

Answer 1

See Oral Surgeon: See your oral surgeon for evaluation.This is likely a muscle spasm causing you to be closed locked.If you are experiencing this at home, apply moist heat to your muscles on the sides of your face and massage them from the top of your headto the sides in front of the ears down to the bottom of the jaw.If this is chronic, you may need muscle relaxants and antiinflammatories to interrupt the spasms.

Answer 2

See a dentist: Your jaw may be dislocated . You want to see an oral surgeon who can replace the jaw back in its socket. Then you want to see an experienced dentist to ascertain why this happened and develop a plan to prevent its re occurrence.

Answer 3

See a dentist: Start off with seeing a dentist. They should be able to determine the severity of the problem and get started on treatment.

Answer 4

Oral surgeon: Advanced TMJ problem with disk locked out. You may need jaw manipulation, arthrocentesis, or arthroscopic surgery of your TMJ. See board certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon with TMJ surgery skills.

Answer 5

Stop: Stop trying to force it open, you can only do more damage. See an Oral Surgeon to help you reposition the displaced disc in your joint. Then a determination has to be made as to what caused the dislocationn, and cause must be treated.

Answer 6

Locked Jaw: Lock jaw is due to the disorder of temporomandibular joint, and you can not fool around with it.You need to see an oral surgeon who will advice you what treatment to pursue.You can also consult your dentist.Some time it is due to degenerative disease of the joint and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs may help.But see the specialist.

Answer 7

Possible parafunctio: One reason might be that you are grinding your teeth (or clenching) at night. You need to see a dentist to find out the exact reason for you.

Answer 8

Tmj isk: Your TMJ disk is out of position. You likely have clicking or popping during the day. Likely the popping has gotten louder over time. The locking you experience in the morning is a progression of the disk displacement. The locking will likely become harder to unlock in the morning, You may be progressing to a "closed lock" condition where you can't unlock your joint. See TMJ specialist for options

Answer 9

Dysfunction: Probably clenching and/or grinding @ night. A night guard may help reduce symptoms, but cause of brutish should be found and treated. Malocclusion often implicated.

Answer 10

Classic TMJ Disorder: It sounds like a classic case of TMJ disorder. You can discuss possible causes and treatments of your problem with your dentist or a TMJ specialist.

Answer 11

Jaw locking up: If your jaw is locking closed, it generally means that the disc in the jaw joint may be displaced. If your jaw is locking open, that means that the jaw is itself becoming dislocated, which is much less common. For a closed lock that fails to respond to simple measures, it has been shown through many studies that the most effective treatment is TMJ arthrocentesis or arthroscopy, to unlock the jaw.

Answer 12

Out of balance : A balance exists between how your teeth fit together, how your jaw joints work and how the muscles move these. If this is not working properly it can lock (joint dislocated), your teeth may not fit together properly (bite is off) or you may experience muscle pain (headaches, earaches, etc.) check with you dentist and get help or a referral to someone who has experience treating these (years).

Answer 13

Disk out: Jaw joint disk out of position. Locking means advanced TMJ condition. See TMJ expert for advice. Any dentist can be a TMJ expert with the proper training and experience. Most commonly, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and orofacial pain specialists. Ask your MD, your dentist and your dental society for referrals.

Answer 14

TMJ Displaced Disc: If it's locked closed, it's usually due to a displaced disc in the TMJ jaw joint. See your dentist for unlocking procedure.

Answer 15

Keep open and slide: This is due to dysfunction of the temporal mandibular joint just below the ear. The cartilage catches on the other side of the joint and clicks as the joint moves. Sometimes the cartilage catches the other side and the jaw locks. If this starts to happen, do not try to close the morth - but keep it open, rock the joint from side to side and yawn and usually the jaw will snap into place.

Answer 16

Jaw locks: Take some advil, Motrin or aleve (naproxen) if you can, use moist hot compresses on the outside of your face next to your jaw joint and call your dentist (or a dentist who has experience and knowledge) to evaluate you for conservative treatment for tmjoint problems. Stay on soft foods and do not chew gum.

Answer 17

TMJ expert: When your jaw is locking, it signifies advanced displacement of your TMJ (jaw joint) disk. See a TMJ expert for advice. Any dentist can be a TMJ expert with the proper training and experience. Most commonly, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and orofacial pain specialists. Ask your MD, your dentist and your dental society for referrals.

Answer 18

Find out cause: To treat the problem requires diagnosing the cause of your disc displacement. Most TMJoint treatment is palliative, makes you feel better without addressing the cause. If cause can be defined, appropriate treatment can be instituted. Start with your Dentist. If he/she feels referrals are necessary, don't blow it off.

Answer 19

Jaw locking up: If your jaw is locking closed, it generally means that the disc in the jaw joint may be displaced. If your jaw is locking open, that means that the jaw is itself becoming dislocated, which is much less common. For a closed lock that fails to respond to simple measures, it has been shown through many studies that the most effective treatment is TMJ arthrocentesis or arthroscopy, to unlock the jaw.

Answer 20

Complex: Complex TMJ problem. Condition is advanced once jaw starts locking. See a TMJ expert.Any dentist can be a TMJ expert with the proper training and experience. Most commonly, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and orofacial pain specialists. Ask your MD, your dentist and your dental society for referrals.

Answer 21

Jaw locking: Usually means disc out of position, fairly advanced jaw joint dysfunction. Challenge is to determine the cause(s) of the displacement and then determine the correct treatment. Your Dentisr may want you to see Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, or other practitioners. Seek help before more damage is done.

Answer 22

Jaw locking up: If your jaw is locking closed, it generally means that the disc in the jaw joint may be displaced. If your jaw is locking open, that means that the jaw is itself becoming dislocated, which is much less common. For a closed lock that fails to respond to simple measures, it has been shown through many studies that the most effective treatment is TMJ arthrocentesis or arthroscopy, to unlock the jaw.

Answer 23

See your Dentist: Important to determine cause of joint dysfunction that has caused disc displacement. Depending on cause you may need thermal therapy, medications, occlusal orthotic, orthodontic tooth movement, occlusal adjustment, joint or jaw surgery, or other treatment modalities. Start with your Dentist.

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