Goodlettsville Dental Services

Trismus

Trismus is the inability to normally open the mouth due to one of many causes. It involves the trigeminal nerve.

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)
• Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) A common side effect after use of this amphetamine. Symptoms are usually not long lasting
• Mephedrone Also a very common side effect of Mephedrone is a forward sticking out of the Mandible.

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.
• Tetanus
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Malaria severa
• Secondary to neuroleptic drug use
• Malignant otitis externa
• Retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal abscess