The upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jawbones make up the jawbone. Either one or both of these bones could break.
When compared to the number of mandible fractures that occur in the adult population, juvenile mandible fractures are uncommon. Even though a doctor who treats face fractures might not come across a pediatric mandible fracture, it is a distinct injury that needs to be thoroughly discussed. The care of a pediatric mandible fracture necessitates great diligence because to the specific anatomy, dentition, and growth of the kid. Treatment options range from open reduction and internal fixation to a soft diet. Any facial trauma in a child necessitates extra management concerns, such as child abuse issues and long-term sequelae involving skeletal growth, which may impact facial symmetry and occlusion, in addition to the variety in treatment.
Common causes
- A collision or fall while playing contact sports
- A fall from a bicycle or motorbike
- An impact on the dashboard during an auto accident
- A punch to the jaw
Common signs and symptoms
- Bruising, swelling and tenderness along the jaw or below the ear
- The feeling that the teeth don’t fit together properly
- Missing or loose teeth
- Swelling or black and blue discolouration of the gum over the jawbone, or under the tongue
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Pain in the jaw joint
- Numbness in the lower lip or chin
- Shifting of the lower jaw on opening the mouth
Treatment for a jaw fracture:
If the fracture is little, there might not be any need for treatment other than taking painkillers to ease discomfort and following a soft diet for three weeks to reduce discomfort when chewing.
On the other hand, if the fracture is more severe, surgery is frequently needed to realign and stabilize the bone, allowing for normal healing.
- The standard surgical procedure for moderate to severe fractures is jaw wiring. The jaw is secured in place and prevented from shifting with a wire. This will facilitate appropriate bone healing.
- Screws and plates may need to be inserted into the bone in certain cases of fracture.
After receiving treatment, a simple jaw fracture typically heals in one to two months.
What occurs if a tooth is shattered, dislocated, or mobile?
Your child’s dentist will be contacted to examine and treat their teeth if they have sustained harm to the teeth or the surrounding tissue.
- If your child has a fractured tooth, take the broken piece with you and visit the dentist or emergency room right away. The dentist will reattach it using adhesive.
- Replace the tooth in its original position if it has become dislodged. If this isn’t feasible, put the tooth in some cool milk and get straight to the dentist or emergency room.