How long does a hairline fracture in the jaw take to heal?
A complete recovery will typically take between 6 to 8 weeks, after which full mobility should be restored. In some cases, a doctor may recommend protective footwear, a splint, or the use of crutches to minimise strain placed on the fractured bone during movement.
What can you do for a hairline jaw fracture?
What can I do to manage a jaw fracture?
- Apply ice. Ice helps decrease swelling and pain.
- Eat soft or blenderized foods as directed.
- Clean your mouth 4 to 6 times each day.
- Do not play sports while your jaw heals.
- Do not put pressure on your jaw.
How do you know if you have a hairline fracture in your jaw?
Symptoms of a broken jaw include: Pain in the face or jaw, located in front of the ear or on the affected side, that gets worse with movement. Bruising and swelling of the face, bleeding from the mouth. Difficulty chewing.
Can you have a hairline fracture of the jaw?
Although symptoms of a jaw fracture a usually obvious, sometimes the fracture is more of a crack, also known as a hairline fracture, and symptoms can be subtle.
How serious is a hairline fracture?
A hairline fracture might seem like a mild problem, but ignoring the issue and putting further pressure on the bone can lead to a more serious breakage. It’s best to visit a doctor and take it easy, especially if you’re an athlete. If left untreated, a hairline fracture can quickly become a more debilitating injury.
Is my jaw broken or just bruised?
Inside the mouth, bleeding or change in the normal lineup of teeth or both can be signs of a broken jaw. There might also be bruising under the tongue or even a cut in the ear canal due to movement backward of the broken jawbone. Drooling and the inability to close the mouth may occur.
Do hairline fractures need a cast?
Treatment for a hairline fracture looks different than that of a more severe fracture. You likely won’t need a cast, but the doctor may recommend that you wear a brace to keep your arm immobile. You should also rest your arm and use ice to control the pain.
What does a sprained jaw feel like?
pain in the face or jaw. pain when moving the jaw, such as opening the mouth or chewing. bruising and swelling on the face. stiffness and difficulty moving the jaw.
How can you tell if you have a hairline fracture?
Signs and symptoms of hairline fracture include pain and swelling in the bone, especially when the bone is put under load or stress. If it is left unnoticed or untreated, it continues to get worse and may even cause complete disruption of integrity of bone.
What is the recovery time for a hairline fracture?
Common symptoms include: pain while walking, swelling and inflammation, redness of the joint and tenderness. Recovery depends on the extent of fracture and what has caused it. Nevertheless, complete recovery for a hairline fracture may take up to 10 to 14 weeks.
How long does it take for a jaw fracture to heal?
The average healing time for a broken jaw is six weeks. If the fractured segments of the jaw are properly aligned and undisturbed during healing, the jaw should heal and be as strong as in was before the fracture occurred.
Can my hairline fracture heal on its own?
The majority of hairline fractures will heal by themselves if the person refrains from activities that put a strain on the affected area . For the first 24 to 48 hours, a person can help the healing process by elevating the affected area and applying ice where possible.