This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Trismus is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
Trismus, also known as lockjaw, is the inability to normally open the mouth due to one of many causes.
Contents |
Common causes
- Pericoronitis (inflammation of soft tissue around impacted third molar) is the most common cause of trismus.
- Inflammation of muscles of mastication. It is a frequent sequel to surgical removal of mandibular third molars (lower wisdom teeth). The condition is usually resolved on its own in 10-14 days, during which time eating and oral hygiene are compromised. The application of heat (e.g. heat bag extraorally, and warm salt water intraorally) may help, reducing the severity and duration of the condition.
- Peritonsillar abscess, a complication of tonsillitis which usually presents with sore throat, dysphagia, fever, and change in voice.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
Other causes
- Acute osteomyelitis
- Ankylosis of the TMJ (fibrous or bony)
- Condylar fracture or other trauma.
- Gaucher disease which is caused by deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase.
- Infection
- Local anesthesia
- Needle prick to the medial pterygoid muscle
- Oral submucous fibrosis.
- Radiation therapy to the head and neck.
- A physical side effect of the drug MDMA.
- Tetanus
- Secondary to neuroleptic drug use
Treatment
Treatment requires treating the underlying condition with dental treatments, physical therapy, facial flex[1], and passive range of motion devices[2]. Additionally, control of symptoms with pain medications (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and warm compresses may be used.
References
 |
This dentistry article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 8 August 2008, at 22:48.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Trismus".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.