Locking jaw?

Question

When I go to sleep or when I wake up, my jaw locks so it'll only open about an inch. The only way I can open it is to press on the side of my jaw. And it likes does a little pop (only heard by me) when ever I open my mouth wider then it takes to talk. Plus if I move my jaw to the side a bit and open my mouth it makes a cracking sound people can hear. It only hurts when it locks, and otherwise is fine. I've never broken it, or had any other kinds of problems. Anyone else experince this or know what it is?

Answer 1

well yes its commonly encountered in routine checkups ! its called habitual subluxation!

Habitual subluxation is another frequently used term. It describes an often painful condition affecting normal joints, in which the condyle may be displaced anterior to the articular eminence of the temporal bone. This condition is also self-reducing.

patient experiences more pain and further muscular spasm occurs.

Treatment modalities depend upon the  duration of the problem that is  whether its  existing since long or occured recently.ther can be two modes of tretment that is  non sugical and surgical. Nonsurgical icludes reduction under local anaestheticsand muscle relaxants  and  bandaging for few  weeks . surgical includes Eminectomy .

precautions  to be  taken is not to talk loudly with mouth wide  open , eatin food  with as less as possible mouth opening,

avoid  eating harder food stuffs, avoid yawning with wide open mouth!

Answer 2

Yes, ive had tons of experience with this.  Mine is caused because im grinding my teeth while I sleep.  I was also told that the cracking sound was caused from when I had braces and they shifted my teeth around.  It's so painful if I don't wear a brace at night.  During the day my jaw aches.  I would find a doctor that deals with jaw issues.  Around by me, those doctors are hard to come by because it's a complicated issue and they dont want to deal with it.  You could also try those night guards they sell at the pharmacy stores.  I used it before I got the guard from the doctor and it worked pretty well. Good Luck!

Answer 3

sounds like you have tmj, see your dentist     you could be grinding your teeth at night and might need a night guard.  best to ask you dentist

Answer 4

I had this same problems several years ago. You may have TMJ or TMD. You should talk to your dentist about it. It could be serious and it may not be. Mine only lasted about a year and just went away on its own. It's annoying when your jaw keeps locking, but it eventually went away.