A broken jaw is one of the most common facial injuries. The most common symptoms are pain in the affected area along with bruising and swelling in the face. Not treating a broken jaw can lead to severe complications including nerve damage and infection. At Wisconsin Medical Group, we have a board-certified jaw doctor who can help diagnose and treat the problem to prevent future long-term problems. If you suspect your jaw is fractured or broken, get in touch with our jaw injury specialist today.
Common Causes of a Broken or Dislocated Jaw
It only takes 8 lbs. of pressure to break a jaw and can be caused by:
- Trips and falls
- Motor vehicle accidents (whiplash is a common cause of jaw injuries)
- Assault
- Injuries from sports
- Industrial accidents
Symptoms of a Broken Jaw
Common symptoms of a broken jaw include:
- Loose teeth
- General pain in the face or jaw
- Inability to close the mouth or open it widely
- Stiff jaw
- Ear pain
- Bruising or swelling on the face
- Numbness or tenderness on the face especially the lower lip
- Abnormal appearance of the jaw
Symptoms of a Dislocated Jaw
If your jaw is locking, it can mean that you may have a dislocated jaw. Other common symptoms of a dislocated jaw are:
- Drooling and inability to close your mouth
- Poorly aligned teeth
- A crooked bite
- General pain in the face
- Difficulty talking
If you are suffering through any of the symptoms listed above, you may have a broken or dislocated jaw and should seek medical assistance from our Milwaukee jaw doctor immediately. The sooner your condition is diagnosed and treatment is started, the sooner you can prevent future irreparable damage such as nerve damage and serious infection.
Treatment for Broken Jaws
Our broken jaw treatments vary from one patient to another. If your patient has a dislocated or broken jaw, advise them to seek immediate medical attention. The jaw should be supported until treatment is complete. Severe injuries may require surgery and the healing process can take a few weeks. For minor fractures, our physicians may only prescribe pain medication. They may heal after a few days.
At Wisconsin Medical Group, we do our best to give our patients the best medical care. We carefully document their medical records in good order. We understand that seeking compensation can be difficult. Unfortunately, many physicians put a lot of emphasis on treating patients and not much on handling their records. The patients may have trouble getting the compensation they deserve. We strive to make the process as smooth as possible for both attorneys and patients. We work with some of the best personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys in Wisconsin.
When to Contact a Doctor
Patients should seek medical treatment for their jaws as soon as they suspect that they may be fractured, dislocated, or broken. No one should attempt to change the position of their jaw. The problem may get worse. Emergency treatment is important for anyone who has symptoms such as heavy bleeding or inability to breathe.
Get a Second Opinion
If you are looking for a physician who has the experience and expertise of helping those with broken jaws, give us a call today and schedule an appointment for your client. We work in five locations in the Milwaukee area. Our goal is to serve everyone that needs us as efficiently as possible.
Find a Jaw Injury Specialist in Southeast Wisconsin
Contact Wisconsin Medical Group today.
How do I know if my jaw is broken?
The most common symptoms of a broken jaw are pain, bruising, and swelling in the affected area.
Why does my jaw hurt when I open my mouth?
A broken jaw can be the reason your jaw hurts when you open your mouth widely.
Why is my jaw locking?
A dislocated jaw is a common reason for your jaw to lock.