Facial Trauma

The name of a traumatic facial injury says it all: It is traumatic for the person who suffers it. Facial trauma can drastically alter a person’s appearance, which can have a long-lasting impact on them psychologically and physically. Fortunately, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons have the specialized training necessary to help treat and correct facial trauma injuries. Dr. Kim, Dr. Lang can perform emergency room procedures to help treat soft tissue facial injuries, bone injuries and injuries to the teeth and surrounding dental structures.

Types of Facial Trauma

Facial trauma results from a damaging blow to the face. Car crashes, sporting accidents, assaults (whether from a fist or a blunt object), on-the-job injuries, and slip-and-fall accidents can all cause damage to the teeth, skin, bones or other sensitive regions of the face. Facial trauma is categorized in three different types of injuries:

• Soft Tissue Injuries: These are typically cuts or other types of open wounds on the face.
• Fractures: These can include broken cheekbones, jawbones or other maxillofacial bones.
• Teeth & Dental Injuries: These can include teeth that are cracked or knocked out due to a sharp blow to the face.

Soft Tissue Facial Trauma

Cuts or open wounds on the face are repaired in an emergency suturing procedure. The maxillofacial surgeon stitches the wound shut to prevent further bleeding. Special care is also taken to minimize the chance of scarring from the injury. Specialized training is necessary for dealing with soft tissue facial trauma, due to tear ducts, salivary glands, and the many nerves and muscles that are part of the patient’s face. Our maxillofacial surgeons can treat injuries to these structures during the suturing procedure. Extra care is given to preserve the function and appearance of the face, to minimize long-term damage or disfigurement.

Bone Fracture Facial Trauma

You’ve probably seen someone with a broken bone in their arm, wrist or leg, which was set in a cast. The cast helps to immobilize and stabilize the limb, so that the bone can properly heal. But what happens when a person experiences a broken bone in the face? A cast is not a treatment option in this case. Our maxillofacial surgeons deal with this type of facial trauma using innovative means of bone stabilization.

Facial surgeons used to wire the jaws together to stabilize the bone structures when someone suffered a fracture to the upper or lower jawbone. Today, maxillofacial surgeons use a technique known as rigid fixation to treat facial bone fractures. This involves a surgical procedure to attach a system of plates and screws in the bones to hold them in place.

There are several benefits to rigid fixation over previously-used methods such as wiring the jaws together:

• Shortened healing time
• Facial shape and structure will likely remain intact
• Jawbone wires require removal in a follow-up procedure
• Patients return to normal function more quickly

Tooth and Dental Trauma

Having a tooth knocked out can be a shocking and painful experience. However, if you act fast, our maxillofacial surgeons can actually replant the tooth and save it. Do not wipe the tooth off, because it could still have pieces of dental ligament attached to it. These ligaments are a vital part of reattaching the tooth. Instead, place the tooth in a cup of salt water or milk and immediately call our office. The quicker one of our maxillofacial surgeons is able to replant the tooth in the socket, the better the chances are that the tooth can be saved. Sometimes facial trauma can also shift the position of teeth in the mouth, or damage the bone structure that supports the teeth. Our surgeons are highly trained to deal with these types of trauma as well.

iences a broken bone in the face? A cast is not a treatment option in this case. Our maxillofacial surgeons deal with this type of facial trauma using innovative means of bone stabilization.

Facial surgeons used to wire the jaws together to stabilize the bone structures when someone suffered a fracture to the upper or lower jawbone. Today, maxillofacial surgeons use a technique known as rigid fixation to treat facial bone fractures. This involves a surgical procedure to attach a system of plates and screws in the bones to hold them in place.

There are several benefits to rigid fixation over previously-used methods such as wiring the jaws together:

• Shortened healing time
• Facial shape and structure will likely remain intact
• Jawbone wires require removal in a follow-up procedure
• Patients return to normal function more quickly

Tooth and Dental Trauma

Having a tooth knocked out can be a shocking and painful experience. However, if you act fast, our maxillofacial surgeons can actually replant the tooth and save it. Do not wipe the tooth off, because it could still have pieces of dental ligament attached to it. These ligaments are a vital part of reattaching the tooth. Instead, place the tooth in a cup of salt water or milk and immediately call our office. The quicker one of our maxillofacial surgeons is able to replant the tooth in the socket, the better the chances are that the tooth can be saved. Sometimes facial trauma can also shift the position of teeth in the mouth, or damage the bone structure that supports the teeth. Our surgeons are highly trained to deal with these types of trauma as well.