Jaw Dislocation: Emergency Steps, Risks of Putting It Back Yourself, Which Department to See, and Recurrent Dislocation

What does it mean when the jaw dislocates?

A dislocated jaw refers to a TMJ dislocation, where the condyle of the lower jawbone moves out of its normal position and cannot return [1]. It often happens when opening the mouth wide, such as yawning, biting into large food, singing, or sneezing, and with a complete dislocation you cannot close your mouth and have trouble speaking and controlling saliva [1]. With a partial misalignment (subluxation), on the other hand, you may be able to close your mouth with only noises or pain remaining, so it is hard to conclude it is not a dislocation just because there is only noise [1].

When DentStat analyzed about 2,600 patient comments on jaw dislocation in YouTube dental content, fear of middle-of-the-night emergencies, experiences of failing to put it back alone, and resignation about repeated dislocation came up repeatedly [4].

Can I put a dislocated jaw back by myself?

Self-reduction by forcing it back or hitting it with a fist is not recommended [2]. Repeated self-reduction can lead to hand injuries, failed reduction, damage to the joint ligaments, recurrent dislocation, and disc deformation [2]. If dislocation occurs, do not open your mouth further or move it forcefully, and it is recommended to find a medical facility that can perform the reduction as soon as possible [2]. The longer the dislocation lasts, the more the surrounding muscles tense and swell, making reduction harder, so the general principle is to have it reduced by a professional promptly [1][2]. The comment analysis also repeatedly found cases where people tried to fix it themselves, failed, and left it for a long time [4].

Which department should I go to if my jaw dislocates?

Reducing a TMJ dislocation falls under Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in dentistry [1]. Even at an emergency room, oral and maxillofacial specialists often perform the reduction, and some people first go to orthopedics or ENT and are then redirected to the right department [1]. Procedures such as dislocation reduction may be covered by National Health Insurance depending on the diagnosis and detailed criteria, and you can confirm coverage during treatment [3]. In the comment analysis, questions about which department to see, such as “Is it orthopedics or a dentist?”, came up repeatedly [4].

Why does my jaw keep dislocating once it has happened?

A jaw that dislocates repeatedly may be recurrent dislocation, where the ligaments supporting the joint have loosened [1]. If, after one dislocation, it starts slipping out again with the same movements, the starting point for management is to be careful with wide opening and yawning and to get the underlying cause assessed [1][2]. Recurrent dislocation is first approached with conservative management, and the treatment method differs with how far it has progressed, so diagnosis takes priority over self-judgment [2]. When it recurs often, lifestyle measures such as supporting the underside of the jaw with your hand when a big yawn comes or limiting how wide you open are sometimes advised as well [2]. The comment analysis found many complaints such as “It keeps dislocating since the first time” and “Both sides dislocated” [4].

Common myths and facts

Myth	Fact
A dislocated jaw can be fixed by hitting it with a fist or forcing it back	Repeated self-reduction can cause ligament damage and recurrent dislocation, so professional reduction is recommended [2]
For jaw dislocation, you only need orthopedics or the ER	Reduction falls under Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and even in the ER, specialized staff often treat it [1]
If you leave it out, it heals on its own over time	Leaving it can lead to swelling, deformity, and pain, so early reduction is the rule [1]
If there’s only noise and no pain, it isn’t dislocated	Subluxation can occur with little pain, so noise alone is not enough to judge [1]

For an overview of TMJ symptoms, which department to see, and health insurance coverage, see the TMJ disorder guide. For the areas of care when surgical treatment is needed, see the oral surgery guide. For dental clinics by region, see Find a Dentist.