The wrist pivot method, a novel technique for temporomandibular joint reduction

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an infrequent dislocation of the mandible. The usual technique of reduction, recommended by most Emergency Medicine textbooks, consists of downward forces applied to the mandible. In the authors' experience this is often painful and requires significant sedation. We present a patient in whom the usual manner of TMJ dislocation reduction was difficult. We describe a novel technique for TMJ dislocation reduction that uses the intrinsic biomechanical properties of the mandible.