Exams and Tests

A doctor will conduct a physical exam and order x-rays, if indicated. No blood tests are needed.

• The physical examination would consist of a general inspection of your face for obvious deformity, bruising, or swelling. The next step would begin with feeling the jawbone through the skin.

• The doctor will check the movement of the mandible. Once the external exam is complete, the doctor will check inside your mouth. You will be asked to bite down, and your teeth will be assessed for alignment.

• The doctor will check the jawbone for stability. With the straight blade test, the doctor may place a tongue blade (tongue depressor, a flat wooden stick) between your teeth and evaluate whether you can hold the blade in place.

• The best screening film is the panoramic x-ray, completely around the jaw. This type of x-ray is not often available in smaller hospitals, so other views are substituted. If the initial x-rays are negative, a CT scan may be indicated if the doctor thinks you have a broken jaw.