Correction of Reduced Mouth Opening
The problem of reduced mouth opening, also known as 'lock jaw' or 'hypomobility' of the mouth is caused due to various factors. This particular clinical condition cannot be attributed to any particular disease or condition as it may be a symptom of a number of conditions. In healthy individuals, mouth opening is around 30-50mm. But when the mouth opening is limited to 20mm, the individual is said to have a reduced mouth opening or trismus.
Common causes of trismus or reduced mouth opening include: TMJD, burn scars, radiation treatment to the jaw and head, arthritis, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, trauma, infection, impacted wisdom teeth, psychological conditions including stress, bruxism and grinding, congenital conditions and other muscluloskeletal conditions. In the asian population a common condition resulting from pan masala chewing is oral submucous fibrosis which is a precancerous condition, it can cause inability to open the mouth.
