Problems With the Jaw

The jaw or mandible is the only bone in the face that has the ability to move. The mandible also holds the lower teeth in place. Conditions such as bruxism, or teeth grinding, can result in jaw pain and problems of the jaw. The upper part of the mandible does not move and holds the upper teeth in place. Jaw problems can cause difficulty when speaking or eating, breathing problems or present a choking hazard among patients.

Breaks and Dislocations

• Breaks and dislocations in the jaw can be the result of a traumatic injury or blow to the face. Dislocations occur when the mandible disconnects from the temporomandibular joints, according to HealthCentral.com. Symptoms of a dislocated jaw include difficulty speaking, a jaw that will not close, pain, misaligned teeth, drooling and a protruding jaw. The symptoms patients experience with a broken jaw include bleeding, bruising, swelling, tenderness of the jaw area, numbness and limited movement. Surgery may be required to treat moderate to severe jaw breaks. Physicians may wire the jaw shut during the healing process to prevent and restrict movement.

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

• The temporomandibular joint, TMJ, is a term that describes the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull as well as a collection of problems with the jaw. The problems can include a cracking or popping sound when eating or speaking, or the inability to open the mouth fully. Patients with TMJ may suffer with jaw pain, headaches, toothaches, earaches and facial pain. Teeth grinding or stress may cause the condition when the patient clenches the jaw muscles. According to HealthCentral.com poor posture, an inability to relax, poor diet and lack of sleep may also cause TMJ symptoms. And arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint and cause inflammation and pain.

  Treatment for TMJ includes medications such as muscle relaxants, painkillers, Botox and corticosteroids. Some patients with TMJ also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, which may help the patient relax and eliminate stress. TMJ patients can use bite guards to prevent teeth grinding during sleep and prevent some of the discomfort from the jaw condition.

Prognathism

• Malformations of the facial bones can cause the teeth to become misaligned and the jaw to protrude. The jaw protrusion causes symptoms such as chewing and speech problems. In some patients, the jaw protrusion is the normal facial structure of the individual. Conditions such as Crouzon syndrome and basal cell nevus syndrome may also be responsible.

Pierre Robin Syndrome

• A small lower jaw characterizes the condition Pierre Robin syndrome. The condition can cause breathing and feeding problems for infants with the condition. Children with Pierre syndrome are susceptible to choking during sleep when the tongue falls back. The development of the jaw is slower in infants born with the condition, but after the first few months, development speeds up.