| I have this problem occasionally. There was a period of about 2 years when I could only open my mouth enough to fit 2 fingers between my teeth (I can now fit 3, nearly 4). The jaw joint has 2 motions, the hinge motion opens it half way and then a sliding motion opens it fully. It was the sliding motion I had problems with.
The problem happened occasionally at first when I woke up in the morning. A short period of time laying the joint on my hand while still in bed sorted it out. It then didn't clear at all so I went to my GP and was refered to a maxillofacial specialist who made me a mouth guard (the same as a rugby one but thicker) this worked but I was still locked occasionally. I was then referred to a consultant dentisty type person (can't remember the exact term) who was going to put me under a general anaesthetic to inject saline into the joint. This would restore the slide motion to allow full joint function. I had however just been in hospital because of my glandular fever and so the anaethetist advised me to wait 6 months. In that time the problem cleared itself.
My jaw is still very noisy but does not cause me any hassle most of the time. I still lock up if I have had a particularly cold dive or have been biting my mouth piece too hard. Again, gentle warming and pressure seems to release it. If you are unsure go and see your GP who will probably look at you blankly before referring you.
Good luck!
Paul |