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 What Is Glass Jaw?
Displacement of the articular disc, commonly referred to as Internal Derangement (or Glass Jaw), is a disorder characterized by an abnormal relationship between the articular disc, mandibular condyle, and articular eminence, which act together as a "shock absorber." The disc is most often displaced anteriorly or anteromedially, but medial, lateral and even posterior displacements have also been reported.
Because the only physiologic movement permitted between the condyle and the disc is rotation and translation, any sliding or twisting movement between the disc and condyle is abnormal. In the basic workings of the jaw, the condyle, or the topmost point of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is in charge of jaw function. For a jaw to open, the condyle first rotates and then translates with the disc down the slope of the articular eminence.
In order for disc displacement to occur, there must be elongation of the disc attachments and deformation or thinning of the posterior border of the disc that allows the disc to slide (anteriorly or anteromedially) on the condyle. Internal Derangement occurs when the condyle and the disc are not aligned.
 How Internal Derangement Can Cause A Concussion
When the condyle is not lined up with the disc, it cannot do its job as a shock absorber protecting the base of your skull and the brain. Instead, the temporal bone rests directly on the base of the skull housing the temporal lobe of the brain. In the event of a strong hit to the jaw or chin, the mandible (or jaw) literally "slams" into the temporal bone (or skull). This can result in serious head trauma, potentially causing a concussion and/or other neurological damage. If you would like to learn more about concussions, please go to our concussions page.
Causes - Internal Derangement can be caused by a variety of factors, from car accidents to sports injuries. However, the most prominent cause is usually psychosocial. Whenever there is an upsurge of stress in the body, an increase of poor jaw habits can occur including: clenching, grinding and excessive gum chewing. These habits can cause the muscles to tire and become overused which leads to spasms and derangements.
Symptoms - Symptoms can vary, but the main characteristics include clicking or locking of the jaw. Internal derangement occurs in more than 25% of the entire population and in 65% of the adult population
 Febraury 2006 "ESPN Feature Story" click to read.
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Athletes involved in the
following sports are
advised to wear. Either the B-Protect Splint or Maher Intact Mouth Guard:
 Football
Hockey
Lacrosse
Basketball
Bicycling
Boxing
Martial Arts
Rugby
Soccer
Weight training
Wrestling
Our product is recommended for use with other head and mouth protection devices, such as a football helmet.
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