Thanks for commenting. I haven’t had any problems with that. However, I have read that temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is sometimes a complication of jaw fractures, and TMJD is sometimes characterized by popping in the jaw. Needless to say, your oral surgeon ought to know more than some guy on the internet, but it might be worth mentioning to him. If you think it might be TMJD, you might also try talking to other types of medical professionals, since TMJD is related to a number of medical disciplines.

Best of luck with your recovery.

Adam

I was wondering whether you had any problems with popping or shifting in your joint after you got unwired. Ever since I started eating real food again, I have had this weird popping. It is like I can bite down halfway, but then something has to shift around in the joint before I can bite the rest of the way down. This only happens when chewing something that offers a little bit of resistance (like bread for example), not if I just open and close my mouth. Since all this is happening on the side opposite to the fracture, I am guessing that it is due to something that happened while it was wired shut or by the fact that one side of my jaw is now a few millimeters shorter than the other. Anyway, I asked my oral surgeon about it, and he just said not to worry about it and not to stop chewing things. He did not seem optimistic about it getting better, but didn’t think it would cause long-term damage. That was a few weeks ago, and it has only gotten worse since then. It’s not really painful, but it is definitely unpleasant and makes eating uncomfortable. I’m just getting really frustrated and worried, and I’m not sure what I should do. I would love to hear if you experienced anything like this and how it turned out.

Sorry to hear about your injury, as well as your recent setback. I’m glad you a least have public health care. (Here in the US, we’ve at least taken a baby step in that direction since my accident, but we also have one party determined to repeal that change.)

I know I would have been very frustrated if I’d partway through the recovery that learned that my fracture hadn’t healed properly. (Curiously, though, my oral surgeon didn’t take any X-rays after the date of the surgery.) Anyway, I hope you get some answers when you have your next appointment.

Best wishes on your recovery.

Adam

I currently have a titanium plate and my mouth wired shut for three fractures to my jaw. I fainted and fell on my face after giving blood.

I found the days after surgery very challenging. Though I was making good progress with the pain and psychologically for the first 10 days.

Yesterday however my follow up xray showed that the surgery wasn’t successful in aligning my right jaw joint and is sitting strangely. Why the doctor didn’t pick it up on the xray after the operation I have yet to find out. I have to see another specialist in the new year.

Despite all the pain and frustration I am so thankful that I live in a time where skilled people are able to fix me. And I am so glad that I live in a country that provides its people with free public health care (I’m not usually so patriotic, but having gone through this, I do love Australia more)

All the best with your recoveries

Cherie

Sorry I’ve been slow to reply here. I hope your jaw is a bit less sore by now.

I’ll be honest; my face doesn’t look exactly the same as it used to. But none of my friends or family ever had any trouble recognizing me. I’ve never had anybody comment on the difference or ask if I’ve been in an accident, but of course, it may just be that people are more tactful than that.

I suspect that if I were to walk around with my mouth wide open all day, it would be pretty obvious. Since I don’t do that it’s pretty subtle. My chin slants a little bit (maybe a millimeter and a half from left to right?). Most people would probably notice if they were trying to, but not otherwise.

Maybe I should do an updated photo post so you can decide for yourself. It’s been a couple of years since the last one.

Best wishes in your recovery.

Adam

Best of luck!