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FAQ: Lock Jaw (Trismus)

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Question:
Waking Up with Lock Jaw: About a year ago, my jaw would lock in place when I'd wake up in the morning.

It was very painful and took almost 10 minutes every morning to unhinge my jaw using a warm compress. I must also mention that three of my wisdom teeth came in earlier that year.

I went my dentist and he said that my jaw is probably locking in place because I clench my teeth at night and proceed to do nothing else about it.

It is almost a year later after that and now I'm having difficult chewing with the left side of my jaw because the teeth are not reaching each other. I don't know how I should fix this. ....Visitor from NY

Answer:
Your condition is often seen, there are a few reasons that this may be happening.

First let us look at what the joint is made of. Two bones which move by muscles which has a disc between the bones to cushion it. The disc can move around and can slip out of place.

It will usually move forward and to the middle of the face, thus causing difficulty in opening and moving side to side. Sometimes a loud click is heard and then the jaw can move more freely. Sometimes the click does not occur, however.

The condition of the teeth not touching may be related to the disc being out of place and pushing the lower jaw down. You do need to be seen to have it proper diagnosised and treated.

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