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Broken Jaw | Mandibular Fracture - Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Which doctors should I consult for broken jaw?

A: An Orthopedic doctor can be consulted for broken jaw.

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Q: Is surgery for mandibular jaw fracture an emergency?

A: Mandibular fracture was treated as an emergency with patients rushed into surgery within 6 hours of injury to avoid complications of surgery that include:

  • Hematoma
  • Infections
  • Pseudarthrosis
  • Wound dehiscence
However, current research by researchers Zrounba and colleagues show that fracture of tooth-bearing portion of the mandible should no longer be treated as an emergency. This study, published in the Journal Revue de Stomatologie, studied 47 patients, 32 of them were treated with a delay ranging from 7 hours to 312 hours after their trauma. There was no statistically significant correlation between delay and complications.

Q: Does radiation therapy increase risk for mandibular fracture?

A: People undergoing head and neck irradiation are at an increased risk for mandibular fractures as there is poor vascular supply when compared to other bones. Radiation treatment affects bone strength and this is compounded by patient factors like malnutrition, tooth extraction, poor oral hygiene, alcohol and cigarette smoking, etc.

Post-radiation mandibular fracture is not common but it affects the quality of life and effective preventive measures should be carried out to avert incidences.

Q: Does Osteoporosis Affect Jawbones in Women?

A: In women mandibular growth is dependent on:

  • Age of menarche
  • Nutritional intake during childhood and adolescence
  • Physical activity
  • Menstrual cycle
After menopause, women begin to lose their bone density which makes their bones brittle and susceptible to fractures. Low bone mass density is compounded by the number of teeth as well as mastication patterns of the woman. This increases the risk of mandibular fractures, which women should be aware of after menopause.

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