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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Symptom Of Locked Jaw After Root Canal Treatment

Hello, I had 3 root canals done about 2 weeks ago, all on my right side. I now am unable to open my mouth past 2 finger tips. I believe that I have lock jaw for having my mouth open for an extended amount of time. Is there anything that I can do to make this go away or will it ever go away without professional treatment?
Mon, 25 May 2015
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Can understand your concern..

As per your complain it is seen that the patients who have undergone dental treatment in which mouth was kept open for longer durations nearly about 1.5 to 2 hours suffer from difficulty in opening the mouth mostly after a weeks time.

When the mouth is kept open for a long duration it leads to excessive pressure on the muscles responsible to move the jaw in different directions as well as there is stretching of the ligaments and articular disc (it is a small cushion present between the two parts of bones one from the jaw and other from the skull making the jaw joint known as TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT)

This leads to spasm of the muscles and inflammation of the ligaments and disc leading to locking of jaw and pain.

I would suggest you to consult an ORAL SURGEON and get evaluated for the cause of locking of jaw and the treatment will be based on the diagnosis..

In case of spasms muscle relaxants, painkillers and warm fomentations can be helpful.

Hope your query is solved..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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Suggest Treatment For Symptom Of Locked Jaw After Root Canal Treatment

Hi.. Can understand your concern.. As per your complain it is seen that the patients who have undergone dental treatment in which mouth was kept open for longer durations nearly about 1.5 to 2 hours suffer from difficulty in opening the mouth mostly after a weeks time. When the mouth is kept open for a long duration it leads to excessive pressure on the muscles responsible to move the jaw in different directions as well as there is stretching of the ligaments and articular disc (it is a small cushion present between the two parts of bones one from the jaw and other from the skull making the jaw joint known as TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT) This leads to spasm of the muscles and inflammation of the ligaments and disc leading to locking of jaw and pain. I would suggest you to consult an ORAL SURGEON and get evaluated for the cause of locking of jaw and the treatment will be based on the diagnosis.. In case of spasms muscle relaxants, painkillers and warm fomentations can be helpful. Hope your query is solved.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.