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Jaws

Locking jaw

Alternate phrases: Jaw locked up; Jaw locking; Locked jaw; Lockjaw.

When this occurs, the cushioning disk located between the upper and lower jaws may have developed an irregularity, or the ligaments that hold the disk in place may have become stressed, elongated, or otherwise altered. The result is, the disk gets in the way when the jaw is opening or closing.
Learn more: Glossary › Temporomandibular joint
Learn more: Diagnoses › Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

More information on dental diagnoses

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Dental diagnosis image: TMJ, TMD, temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Dysfunction in the joints (TMD) includes clicking, popping, locking and grating. Each of these represents a different step along a continuous pathway of successively more-serious problems...