We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Mandibular Angle?

By Misty Wiser
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 12,734
Share

The mandibular angle is an area of the jaw located behind the third molar in the mouth. It is the triangular region near the lower jaw, above the top edge of the masseter muscle and below the upper insertion point of the masseter. Injuries to the area may cause difficulty speaking and chewing. A malformed mandibular angle can result in an unsymmetrical appearance to the jaw.

Fractures of the mandibular angle are often slow to heal because of the constant movements of the masseter and temporalis muscles of the jaw. The broken bony fragments may be pushed farther apart by the movement of the muscles. Surgical stabilization of the fracture may be necessary to restore the functionality of the jaw.

The mandibular angle is very painful when significant force is applied to the area. This pressure point is located just below the earlobe and above the lower jawbone. Gentle massage of the mandibular angle may be used to relieve some of the pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

Mandibular angle massage begins with small circular motions directly below the ear lobe for a period of about five minutes. The massage can be followed with a slow opening and closing movement of the jaw. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications and ice may be recommended to relieve some of the pain and swelling associated with this condition.

Many patients with craniomaxillofacial deformities have an alloplastic implant added to the mandibular angle. These implants are used to restore a symmetrical balance to a person’s jaw. Alloplastic prosthetics may be made from dimethylsiloxane, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), polyethylene, and polyester. Other mandibular implants are made from an acrylic material called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin.

Some plastic surgeons will use an implant, fat injections, or an osteotomy procedure to fill out the mandibular angle during a facial rejuvenation operation. The cosmetic alloplastic mandibular implant adds volume and contour to the appearance of the jaw. After the implant is correctly aligned with the natural jawbone, it is fixated in place with a surgical screw.

Complications of the mandibular implant are usually limited to a temporary numbness of the nerves in the area. Most sensation returns two to three weeks after the procedure. An infection occasionally sets in that must be treated with antibiotics. Rarely, the plastic surgeon may have tilted the implant slightly, causing a minor imbalance in symmetry. If this happens, the implant may need to be surgically adjusted to even out the appearance of the jaw line.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-mandibular-angle.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.