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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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I Am Not Able To Open My Mouth Wide. Is My Jaw Fractured ?

Hello. I was punch in the jaw 2 days ago now i can t open my mouth wide. There was some swelling but a used a ice pack and it went down some. Didn t go to the ER. Does this mean my jaw is fractured?
Mon, 15 Apr 2013
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Dentist 's  Response
Dear friend.

Thanks for sharing your concern.

your history suggests that you have suffered trauma and there might be mild fracture too.

you are unable to open your mouth wide because of trismus.

please do not ignore.

visit your dentist and get examined for any fractures of the jaw bone.

so that it can be well diagnosed and treated.

Hope it helps.

Take care.

Thanks.
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Dentist Dr. Qazi Ammara's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for asking the query,

Difficulty in mouth opening can be due to fracture of the mandible, as you mentioned you had a punch there are chances of condylar fracture.

Due to swelling in the region there can be trismus causing difficulty in mouth opening.

Visit to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and get the check up done, see for occlusion, mouth opening, mobility, sweling, mobile segment or fracture line.
Take an OPG x-ray to confirm the diagnosis.

Start with the course of tab Amoxiclav 625 mg and tab brufen TDS for 3-5 days.
Use betadine mouthwash gargles twice to prevent infection.

Hope this helps out.

Regards...
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Dentist Dr. Farah Hussain's  Response
hello there ,

Physical trauma or Impact injury may cause mild to moderate fracture of the jaw bones.

Fractured bone leads to severe pain and difficulty in opening the mouth .

Exact diagnosis can be made only after radiographinc examination so i would suggest you to get an OPG radiograph done which will help in ruling out the fractured segment.

please visit a dentist and get the examination done.

meantime you can start with analgesics to relive pain .

i hope this helps,

take care.
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Dentist Dr. Benley George's  Response
Hi,
It is better you go in for an xray called OPG which can reveal if there is any fracture of your jaw. A fracture of the TMJ can result in inability to open the mouth and pain. Consult an oral and maxillo-facial surgeon at the earliest.
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Dentist Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Sahoo's  Response
hello,
well there might be small hairline fracture or trismus.. its better to go for a visit to a good oral surgeon.. . better to take an opg x-ray... nothing to worry as the swelling is mild and nt that painful.go for an opg x-ray.consult your dentist
thanks
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement Dr. Saurabh Gupta's  Response
Hello and Welcome to HCM,
Thanks for writing to us.
As you have the history of punch in the jaw 2 days ago, Visit the dentist and get an x-ray done and plan your treatment according to that.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health...
Regards.
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2 Doctors agree with this answer

Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Adarsh K. Desai's  Response
hi cox
it is best to rule out a fracture mandible by getting an xray-opg done. if you have a restricted mouth opening it is best to rule out a condylar fracture, which is most likely after a fall or a punch, wish u a early recovery.
dr adarsh desai
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Dentist, Implantology Dr. Manish Juneja's  Response
get an x ray done. go to the dentist/oral surgeon they will help you. there are fair chances that you may be having a fracture. do not delay.
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Dentist Dr. M.Karthikeyan's  Response
see may ur condyle gets fractured or u may got dislocation of ur capsule for anything u have to take opg and see till u consult ur dentist dont open wide and use soft diet
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Dentist Dr. Jenkins sahayam P's  Response
dear cox
when you could open and close and all teeth are in comfortable bite position you need not worry for a serious fracture, any how do visit a dentist for a examination
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I Am Not Able To Open My Mouth Wide. Is My Jaw Fractured ?

Dear friend. Thanks for sharing your concern. your history suggests that you have suffered trauma and there might be mild fracture too. you are unable to open your mouth wide because of trismus. please do not ignore. visit your dentist and get examined for any fractures of the jaw bone. so that it can be well diagnosed and treated. Hope it helps. Take care. Thanks.