How do you treat a patient whos jaw is locked open?

2 ways: In this scenario, the jaw is usually dislocated. The first way is to press down very firmly on the back teeth. This can often pop the dislocated jaw back into place. If that doesn't work, the second day method is to sedate the patient and perform the above procedure. If the jaw is not dislocated you may require an arthrocentesis or an open joint surgery.

Open Lock Reduction: Manual reduction and skeletal muscle relaxers (diazepam, flexeril, (cyclobenzaprine hcl) skelaxin), opiods (fentanyl, mso4) and sometimes even sedation depending how long it has been locked open and how much the pterygo-massenteric sling is spasmed. The technique for manual reduction would be difficult to articulate using only the 400 character limit in these answer forums and is best taught first hand.

Jaw Manipulation: Jaw manipulation. See oral surgeon during office hours. ER after hours. Will require local anesthesia, sometimes IV sedation.

Sedation & reduction: The open locked jaw is treated by sedating you until you are completely relaxed and the joint is moved back into place.