Jaw joint problems
Jaw joint injuries and conditions are extremely diverse. The more common mechanical issues can undergo intervention and recovery timelines are possible to outline. However, with the more nebulous jaw joint conditions this is not possible.
Dislocation of the jaw joint
- Short term: if reduced, it will be uncomfortable and tender causing limitations in chewing for 48 to 72 hours.
- Medium term: A vague ache continuing for up to 10 days. Unless dislocation is recurrent, there should be no complications.
- Long term: other than recurrence which may require surgery, there should be no long-term issues.
Fractures
- Short term: will usually heal, whether managed by surgery or by non-surgical management, within a 3 week period. The primary problems are an abnormal bite (for that person) which should resolve over 5 to 7 days if managed without surgery (if managed by operation, the bite should feel as pre-injury immediately after the surgery) and pain with difficulty in eating.
- Medium term: pain should settle over a period of 7 to10 days. A persisting abnormal bite requires intervention, often intermaxillary elastic traction, rarely orthodontic intervention may help.
- Long term: a persisting abnormal bite requires surgical intervention usually by way of orthognathic surgery. There are similarities with timelines encountered in the surgical treatment of jaw disproportion.