The jawbone is made up of the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jawbone. A break may occur in either or both of these bones.
The jawbone is made up of the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jawbone. A break may occur in either or both of these bones.
If the fracture is minor, no treatment may be required other than pain medication for discomfort and a soft diet for three weeks to minimize pain while chewing.
However, if the fracture is more serious, surgical treatment is often required to align and immobilize the bone so that it can heal properly.
In general, once an uncomplicated jaw fracture is treated, healing usually takes one to two months.
If the teeth and/or the surrounding tissue were traumatized, the dentist will be called to assess and treat your child’s teeth.
In most cases, the prognosis is very good, especially when the fracture is treated promptly and properly. If a tooth is in the line of the fracture, however, it may prevent good healing
In rare cases when the fracture is ignored or healing is poor, long-term complications may include:
You can help prevent jaw fractures by avoiding trauma to the chin and lower face.
Reviewed by Trauma specialists at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Last updated: March 2020
Links
[1] https://childrenfoundation.com/donate-now/
[2] https://www.thechildren.com/departments-and-staff/departments/department-of-trauma