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FAQ: Lock Jaw (Trismus)

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Question:
Trismus - Lock-jaw: Last week I had some dental work done on my teeth. 5 days later I could not open my mouth.

My dentist sent me to a TMJ specialist, who diagnosed Trismus (lock-jaw). I am now doing physical physical therapy, but my jaw does not seem to be getting better.

Normally how long does one need the physical therapy? What will happen if I give up physical therapy, as it does not seem to affect anything? ....Visitor from GA

Answer:
Be patient. The problem will take several months before it completely subsides. However, you should get moderate relief within a month.

Most likely you were having dental work performed on your lower jaw. When the local anesthetic was being delivered the needle knicked a blood vessel. This caused a hematoma which has an affect on the muscles which allows the jaw to open.

Continuing with the physical therapy will prevent the muscles from "splinting" the jaw in place. Imagine getting hit so hard in the shoulder that a huge bruise formed. Although the healing process takes time if you kept your arm in a sling and did not move it it would take longer to return to the full range of motion. The same holds true for your jaw.

The injection into the lower jaw is "blind." Fortunately it is rare to have complications. In 22 years administering thousands of injections I had one patient experience trismus.

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