Information About Fractures to the Lower Jaw

Mandibular fractures, also known as lower jaw fractures, are quite common due to the location of the mandible bone and the lack of support for the mandible. These fractures are common among men between 21 to 30 years old. A lower jaw fracture is the most common facial fracture after nasal fractures. Mandible fractures are usually caused by a direct blow to the lower jaw like when the head snaps forward and strikes the steering wheel during a car accident. Most people that sustain a fractured mandible bone experience bleeding in their mouth and a feeling that their teeth are not aligned properly.

Associated Injuries

Patients with mandible fractures sometimes also suffer from head injuries, head and neck lacerations, maxillary fractures, eye injuries, nasal fractures, tooth fracture, facial lacerations, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder, and cervical spine injuries.

Types

Mandible fractures fall into one of the following categories:

  • Simple/closed: The fracture does not feature an open wound
  • Compound/open: External wound involving skin, periodontal membrane, or mucosa
  • Comminuted: The bone is crushed or splintered
  • Complicated/complex: Where there is injury to adjacent soft tissues or parts
  • Atrophic: Characterized by severe atrophy of the bone
  • Multiple: Two or more lines of fracture on the same bone not communicating with each other
  • Greenstick: One cortex of the bone is broken; the other is bent
  • Pathologic: Preexisting bone disease has caused fracture occurring from mild injury
  • Impacted: One fragment is driven firmly into the other
  • Indirect: Fracture is distant from the injury site

Condylar Fractures

The most common fractured site is in the condylar region, with five levels of severity:

  • Fracture of the neck of the condyle with slight displacement of the head; angle between the head and axis of the ramus is between 10 and 45 degrees.
  • Produce an angle ranging from 45 to 90 degrees, resulting in tearing of the medial portion of the joint capsule.
  • Fragments are not in contact, but confined within the glenoid fossa; the head is displaced medially and forward; the capsule is torn and the head is out of it.
  • Of the head articular on or in a forward position in terms of the articular eminence.
  • Vertical or oblique fractures through the head of the condyle.

Fracture Injury Attorneys

Mandibular fracture injuries and associated trauma after an auto accident can cause severe pain and limit your ability to return to your normal life. No matter where you are, our attorneys are here to help. Contact our office for a free case review and consultation today, and we will get you started on the road to recovery.

Our Experienced Massachusetts Injury Attorneys are Here to Help You. Free consultation. No obligation. No fee unless we recover for you.

If you have suffered from a mandibular fracture, or any other serious facial injury due to someone else’s negligence or intentional act, we are here to help. For your free, no-obligation case review and consultation call The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step towards getting fair compensation for your injuries or for the loss of a loved one. You can also click here to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.

We offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you understand your rights and the value of your case.

Our personal injury trial lawyers handle all types of accident claims including those involving mandible injuries like Mandibular Fractures, Condylar and subcondylar fractures, Broken Jaws, throughout all of Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Holbrook, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Lakeville, Norton; Cape Cod, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Lynn, Revere, Dorchester, Roxbury.