Jaw Fracture: Specialists and Information

In some cases, a glance at the jaw and teeth may be enough. Suspicion of a jaw fracture is confirmed if

• the patient can no longer align their teeth properly when biting down,
• a clearly visible misalignment occurs when the patient bites down,
• teeth are loose, or
• the patient is experiencing severe pain.

If a jaw fracture is suspected, the patient is usually sent for an X-ray. For bone fractures in general, X-rays remain the first-line diagnostic tool even today: they usually allow fractures to be clearly identified. Based on these images, the doctor can determine the extent of damage to the affected bone.

If the injury is complex or the extent of the damage is unclear, a CT scan or MRI may also be performed. An MRI can also detect other defects that may accompany bone damage resulting from a traumatic injury.

Treatment depends on the extent of the damage. In any case, initial care should be provided no later than 48 hours after the accident. During initial care, pain is managed, and the physician applies a temporary splint.

If the bones of the upper and/or lower jaw are severely affected, surgery often follows. During the procedure, the surgeon not only treats the fracture site but also restores the jaw’s function. The teeth are also realigned during this process.

For cracked bones, conservative treatment may be indicated. In this case as well, the bones are stabilized with splints.

In cases of more severe damage, surgery is unavoidable. Common surgical procedures include treating the fracture site. Often, reduction must be performed.

Afterward, the bones are immobilized. Even today, the Schuchardt splint—which visually resembles a wire frame—is still used in some cases for immobilization. However, this method has some drawbacks:

• The patient cannot eat solid food for several weeks.
• Normal dental and oral hygiene is not possible, which can lead to cervical caries or gum disease.

A more modern approach is the use of mini-plate osteosynthesis. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. It allows the patient to open their mouth immediately after surgery.

A few months after the surgery, these plates are removed in a follow-up procedure under local anesthesia. As with other bone fractures, pressure on the fracture site is important for healing.

The healing time depends on various factors. Were there any complications during the surgery? Did the patient strictly follow the treating physician’s instructions? These are just two factors that influence the recovery time.

A jaw fracture typically heals within four to six weeks. After this time, the jaw can generally bear a full load again under normal circumstances. However, even in these cases—such as after surgery—wound healing complications or infections may occur, which can delay the healing process.

For this type of injury, the patient should seek treatment from a specialist in maxillofacial surgery (mouth, jaw, face). Such a specialist can do more than just treat the damaged bone. Often, a jaw fracture is accompanied by loose or severely damaged teeth, which must also be treated.