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Pain and Dislocation: How does a broken jaw affect your oral health?
A mandibular fracture, also known as a mandibular fracture, is a break in the lower jaw bone. According to relevant studies, about 60% of cases present two fractures. This fracture often results in a weakened opening, and patients often experience teeth that are not properly aligned and may even experience bleeding gums. Jaw fractures are particularly common in men over 30 years old, and most cases are caused by trauma, including a fall or a blow to the side. Although sometimes fractures can occur due to osteonecrosis or tumors, this is relatively rare.
The most common areas of mandibular fracture include the condyle (36%), body (21%), angle (20%), and symphysis (14%).
Typically, diagnosis of this type of fracture can be done with plain X-rays, but modern CT scans provide more accurate results. For some patients, even if they face a fracture, immediate surgery may not be necessary. Some patients can go home after the test and undergo follow-up surgery a few days later. Patients are often given antibiotics to prevent infection during treatment, but the evidence supporting this practice is relatively limited.
Symptoms and signs
The two most common symptoms of a broken jaw are pain and tooth misalignment (i.e., traumatic malocclusion). Because teeth are so sensitive, even small changes in position can cause discomfort. Patients are extremely sensitive to touches in the jaw area, especially in the setting of condylar fractures, and may also experience pain in the preauricular area. In addition, symptoms such as brittle teeth, numbness, and difficulty opening your mouth may occur.
Appearancely, swelling, bruising, and deformity may occur. In the case of a condylar fracture, the swelling is not obvious due to the relatively deep location, but the inner ear may bleed due to trauma.
Diagnosis
The main methods for diagnosing mandibular fractures include ordinary radiography, panoramic photography, and computed tomography (CT). In the past, plain X-rays were performed in most cases, but for condylar fractures, the detection rate was low and interpretation required many different angles. Panoramic photography displays the lower jaw in one plane, which is more accurate than ordinary X-rays. Ultimately, CT scans are considered the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosing jaw fractures today.
In addition to the use of these imaging techniques, delineation and classification of fractures are also critical in order to develop appropriate treatment plans.
Treatment methods
Treatment of mandibular fractures requires consideration of other conditions that may affect the patient, with particular attention to airway safety. Unstable bilateral fractures may cause the tongue to tilt backward and block the airway. In terms of surgery, treatment usually includes "closed reduction" and "open reduction" techniques. Both are designed to bring the broken ends of a broken bone back together and allow them to heal. During treatment, closed reduction is usually combined with dental immobilization to facilitate recovery, while open reduction directly addresses the fracture during surgery and stabilizes the bone with internal braces or plates.
Delaying treatment for a mandibular fracture by a few days, even in atraumatic patients, usually has little effect on outcome or complication rates.
Based on the latest clinical evidence, the optimal treatment for condylar fractures remains controversial, and the patient's specific circumstances will guide the final treatment decision. Regardless of treatment options, proper follow-up care and regular checkups are key to ensuring your patient's oral health.
Have you ever overlooked a potentially serious health risk due to a common oral problem?
