Facial Trauma

Facial injuries can include everything from teeth that are knocked out to lacerations and fractured facial bones. OMA surgeons are on staff at local hospitals to provide emergency treatment if needed. We understand that injuries to the face impart a high degree of emotional as well as physical trauma to patients. We treat these injuries with the special understanding of how the treatment will influence the patient's long term function and appearance.

Causes of facial trauma

Facial injuries can be caused by many things, but often are caused by:
• motor vehicle accidents
• accidental falls
• sports injuries
• interpersonal violence
• work-related injuries

Types of injuries range from injuries of teeth to extremely severe injuries of the skin and bones of the face. Facial injuries are classified as:
• soft tissue injuries (skin and gums)
• bone injuries (fractures), or
• injuries to special regions, such as the eyes, facial nerves or salivary glands.

Soft Tissue Injuries
Our surgeons repair soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations on the face, with sutures. In addition to attaining the best cosmetic result possible, care is taken to inspect for and treat additional injuries to facial nerves and salivary glands.

Bone Injuries
Fractures of the bones of the face are treated based on the location of the fracture, its severity, and the age and general health of the patient. For certain facial fractures, one option is wiring the jaws together. Others are best treated with the surgical placement of small plates and screws, which allows for healing without jaw wiring. This technique, called ‘rigid fixation,’ has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients by allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.

Our surgeons focus not only on treating the fracture, but also in preserving the patient's facial appearance. They use the fewest incisions necessary and, whenever possible, place incisions so that any scars are hidden.

Injuries to Teeth
Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons usually are involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or in replanting teeth which have been knocked out.

What to do if a tooth is knocked out

• Place the tooth under your tongue to keep moist or in milk.
• See a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. The sooner the tooth is reinserted, the better it recovers.
• Never wipe the tooth off, since parts of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw may be attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth.
• Other dental specialists may be called in, such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and restorative dentists, who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often used as replacements for missing teeth.