There are a number of reasons for lockjaw and it is important to know why it exists for treatment to be ineffective. Incorrect diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious problems. A common reason is spasm and shortening of the jaw muscles. When this happens, the patient can't open well. Muscle spasm of the chewing muscles is best treated with moist heat and TMJ exercises to stretch and loosen all of the muscles in the face. When it's due to muscle spasm, the lower jaw can usually slide left and right but no open.

          Sometimes a patient will have lockjaw after a dental injection. It can be caused when a dental anaesthetic is accidentally injected into the jaw muscles instead of near the mandibular nerve. If the muscle spasm are due to a dental infection, the dental infection should be treated immediately and aggressively. An abscessed tooth can cause pus formation which may extend into the jaw muscles. The pus in the muscles causes muscle spasm and inflammation that leads to the symptoms.

          If a lockjaw locks open and the patient can't close, it is usually due to a forward dislocation of the jaw joint. The lower jaw pops forward and out of the temporomandibular joint and won't come back. This lockjaw is treated by firmly gripping the lower jaw and rocking it downward and backward until it pops back in place. This problem can occur after yawning or remaining open for a long dental appointment. A closed lock can be a result of an anterior dislocation of the TMJ disc. In most cases, the patient has previously experienced clicking and popping of the jaw joint and knows about the TMJ problem.

         A lockjaw is sometimes caused by a tetanus infection. Tetanus is an acute infection caused by a bacillus and characterized by rigidity and spasmodic contractions of the jaw muscles. It is the most common symptom of tetanus and so should be treated serious because tetanus can be fatal. These symptoms can occur after an overdose of phenothiazines or with some neurological disorders especially in the basal ganglia. Patients who experience lockjaw often have regular headaches and neck aches. There is often a history of trauma to the head and neck and these patients often grind their teeth. Massage therapy and TMD treatment often can help reduce the number of incidents.

          If you are having problems and would like to consult Dr. Padolsky, please call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.