Fractures of the mandibular bone, or the lower jaw, are considered as the most common types of maxillofacial fracture encountered in clinical practice [1]. It is much more frequently encountered in males, with an established male-to-female ratio between 3:1 across various reports [2] [3]. In the majority of cases, patients likely suffer from jaw fractures after road traffic accidents, falls, during sports activities or intentionally inflicted injuries (domestic violence, assaults, and child abuse are notable examples) [3], but low-velocity blunt force injuries are described as the predominant mechanism of fracture [4]. Specifically, sports-related injuries are most commonly encountered in younger individuals (boxing and other contact sports), whereas falls (usually on the face) are the main cause of fracture in the elderly population [3]. Fractures of the mandible may occur at the angle, the mandibular symphysis, condyle, and sub condyle, whereas the body may also be a site of the fracture. Common symptoms are the pain, numbness, malocclusion due to the trauma of the teeth that may be displaced or missing, impaired occlusion, bleeding, and limited opening of the mouth due to temporomandibular joint instability and consequent trismus [5]. Preauricular pain is a specific sign of a condylar fracture and unilateral injury to this part of the bone results in deviation of the jaw [5]. Mental nerve paresthesias may be encountered as well [3]. Due to its anatomical characteristics, the mandible is often fractured on more than one site, illustrating the importance of a thorough workup and a detailed assessment. In the setting of more severe trauma, respiratory difficulties, including dyspnea and crepitus, may be observed.

• Jaw Pain

  Chronic jaw pain results from a variety of conditions: teeth-grinding, TMJ, periodontal disease and even certain sinus issues. Of course, pain can also be caused by a fractured jaw you're unaware of. [colgate.com]

  Minimally displaced left parasymphyseal jaw fracture. Top: Left jaw oblique; Bottom: Panorex The patient found that wearing the splint alleviated all of her pain. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Medical Treatment Many people who have jaw pain will not have a jaw fracture and will be treated with pain medications and instructions to eat a soft diet and to follow up with their doctor. Those with fractures require further evaluation. [webmd.com]

A thorough patient history is the first step in the diagnostic workup of mandibular fractures, in order to assess the mode of injury and determine the presence of other accompanying fractures, for eg. those of the cervical spine, as well as airway damage that may require immediate care [6]. A detailed and complete examination of the head and neck should follow, during which the physician must exclude other accompanying injuries and make the initial diagnosis. Inspection and palpation of the mandible, together with an assessment of teeth for possible injury and jaw mobility can confirm mandibular and other associated fractures, while confirmation can be obtained through imaging studies. Panoramic radiography is considered to be a good initial method for isolated mandibular fractures [5] and is even considered as a superior method to more advanced imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) [6]. However, a helical CT scanning has shown to be of significant benefit when evaluating patients for maxillofacial fractures, especially when radiography is not conclusive, and should be performed when possible [5] [6]. Although magnetic resonance imaging is an even more sophisticated method compared to CT and radiography, its use is restricted to assessment of soft tissues in the setting of maxillofacial injuries, and rarely in the examination of bony structures.

Abstract Abstract – The possible relation between treatment delay and healing complications in mandibular fracture treatment (excluding condylar fractures) was reviewed systematically. Twenty‐two studies were identified. [doi.org]

Treatment starts after the radiography, where the patient might feel jeopardized by the effect. Treatment has three steps involved. The first one is the force application to set the bones. [jpmaxface.com]

Treatment is started with antibiotics. Patient is given a tetanus shot and pain killers are prescribed. [epainassist.com]

Mizrahi has cultivated a reputation for beautiful jaw fracture treatment in Beverly Hills. Meet Dr. [beverlyhillsoralsurgerycenter.com]

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies and clinical cases show that an ideal prognosis for mouth function cannot be obtained without sufficient and reasonable postsurgical functional exercise after jaw fracture. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

PROGNOSIS In most cases, the prognosis is good, especially when the fracture is treated promptly and properly. [aspetar.com]

As a DTG member you get: animation based treatment individual prognosis determination the trauma pathfinder newsletter service along with abstract from recent dental trauma studies free download of 30 clinical studies. and last but not least a 10 % discount [dentaltraumaguide.org]

[…] ridge: 2% Unifocal fractures are common, accounting for approximately 40% of all mandibular fractures 1 : multifocal: 60% 1 unifocal: 40% simple: 25% comminuted: 10% associated with condylar subluxation: 5% Subtypes guardsman fracture Treatment and prognosis [radiopaedia.org]

Overall, the prognosis is good if the patient follows doctor's instructions, the recommended diet and takes the required antibiotic course and regularly follows up. [epainassist.com]

In contrast, investigators in other countries, such as Sweden, Canada and Bulgaria, report assault as being the commonest etiology. [news-medical.net]

Etiology and demographics will vary significantly depending on the population demographics and with where patients present. [radiopaedia.org]

A study conducted by Kolli Yada Giri and colleagues aimed at determining the etiological factors behind the high incidence of mandibular fractures in the Rohilkhand region, Uttar Pradesh. [medindia.net]

Major etiologic factors vary based on geographic location. [emedicine.medscape.com]

Paediatric maxillofacial fractures: their etiological characters and fracture patterns. J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 30 (2002), pp. 237-241 [9] H.G. Luhr. On the stable osteosynthesis in mandibular fractures. [elsevier.es]

Epidemiology of facial Fractures. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. June 2011. Widell, Thomas. Mandible Fracture. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/825663-overview#a6 [twin-cities.umn.edu]

OUTLINE • INTRODUCTION • CLASSIFICATION • AETIOLOGY • EPIDEMIOLOGY • SIGNS & SYMPTOMS • INVESTIGATION • MANAGEMENT 3. [slideshare.net]

Epidemiology Fractures of the mandible are common. [ 1 ] The most commonly fractured sites are the body of the mandible, condyle, angle, symphysis, ramus and the coronoid process. [patient.info]

The Epidemiology of Mandibular Fractures in the United States, Part 1: A Review of 13,142 Cases from the US National Trauma Data Bank. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015 Dec. 73 (12):2361-6. [Medline]. Vaillant JM, Benoist M. [emedicine.medscape.com]

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Optimal mandible function requires maintenance of normal anatomic shapeshape and stiffnessand stiffness (ie, resistance to deformation underload). 13. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY  Fractures result secondary to mechanical overload. [slideshare.net]

Pathophysiology High impact trauma to the neck or face is a potential risk for BCI. [jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com]

[…] associated injuries before the mandible fracture could be treated. [30] Number of fractures per mandible In patients with mandible fractures, 53% of patients had unilateral fractures, 37% of the patients had 2 fractures, and 9% had 3 or more fractures. [29] Pathophysiology [emedicine.medscape.com]

This process is called mandibular-maxillary fixation (MMF) and it prevents the fractured jaw segments from moving with swallowing and chewing. [ohniww.org]

She was treated conservatively with a soft diet and told to avoid doing things that hurt to prevent movement at the fracture site. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

How Jaw Dislocation or Fracture Is Treated Medications to lessen pain and anxiety and to prevent infection before and after surgery, if indicated. A simple dislocated jaw often may be guided or manipulated back into place. [healthcommunities.com]

A broken lower jaw usually causes pain and swelling, changes the way the teeth fit together, and prevents the person from fully opening the mouth. [merckmanuals.com]

Post View 7 Comments Broken Jaw - Prevention What prevention measures do you use to avoid getting broken jaw? Post CONTINUE SCROLLING FOR RELATED ARTICLE [emedicinehealth.com]

1. Boffano P, Roccia F, Zavattero E, Dediol E, Uglešić V, Kovačič Ž, et al. European Maxillofacial Trauma (EURMAT) project: a multicentre and prospective study. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2015;43(1):62-70.
2. Gutta R, Tracy K, Johnson C, James LE, Krishnan DG, Marciani RD. Outcomes of mandible fracture treatment at an academic tertiary hospital: a 5-year analysis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014;72(3):550-558.
3. Yildirgan K, Zahir E, Sharafi S, et al. Mandibular Fractures Admitted to the Emergency Department: Data Analysis from a Swiss Level One Trauma Centre. Emergency Med Int. 2016;2016:3502902.
4. Morris C, Bebeau NP, Brockhoff H, Tandon R, Tiwana P. Mandibular fractures: an analysis of the epidemiology and patterns of injury in 4,143 fractures. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015;73(5):951.e1-951.e12
5. Porter RS, Kaplan JL. Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 19th Edition. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Whitehouse Station, N.J; 2011.
6. Perez R, Oeltjen JC, Thaller SR. A Review of Mandibular Angle Fractures. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2011;4(2):69-72.