A dislocated jaw (dislocated mandible) generally is a very painful, urgent dental problem that needs the prompt attention of a doctor or dentist. The mouth cannot be closed, and the jaw may be twisted to 1 side. A dislocated jaw is occasionally caused by an injury but is typically caused by opening the mouth excessively wide (such as during yawning, biting into a large sandwich, vomiting, or during a dental procedure).
Dislocation is more likely to occur in people who have had previous dislocations or who have looseness of the jaw (hypermobility), which may result from temporomandibular disorders.
A doctor or dentist typically maneuvers the jaw back into place by hand (manual reduction).
