Facial Trauma
Facial trauma, or maxillofacial trauma, refers to any injury to the face, including the mouth. Injuries to the face can result from a variety of different causes. Facial trauma is serious and needs to be treated by an expert. If you have experienced facial trauma, you need an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained and skilled in the emergency treatment, repair, and rehabilitation of these delicate injuries. At Stamford Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Arts, we are highly skilled in the latest surgical techniques and can provide you with the care you need to restore the health of your mouth.
What Causes Facial Trauma?
Facial trauma can be caused by some different issues:
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Auto accidents. These are the most common cause of facial trauma.
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Sports injuries (such as colliding with another player).
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Falls (slipping, falling from a ladder).
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Violence. Some facial trauma can be caused by getting into an altercation with another individual. |
Types of Facial Trauma
There are numerous types of facial trauma, which range in severity from minor issues with the teeth to severe issues that affect the bones. We work with local hospitals to deliver emergency care for a wide variety of facial trauma. Some of the most common types of facial trauma include:
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Lacerations to your face and inside your mouth.
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Broken facial bones (nose, cheekbones, eye sockets, even forehead).
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Fractures of the jaw. |
Diagnosis and Planning
If you experience facial trauma, we will conduct several tests. These tests will help us to determine the extent of your injuries, and allow us to formulate a treatment plan that will provide you with the best possible outcome. Angiographs help us to locate the source of bleeding. We may also take images such as X-rays or CT scans, which can help us to determine the presence of fractures, and whether or not oral surgery is needed. Once we have evaluated your condition, we are then able to formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can occur to both your face as well as inside your mouth (tongue, cheeks, gums). They include injuries such as lacerations, burns, and other contusions. Seeking treatment for soft tissue injuries right away is extremely important. Not only does a prompt repair of these types of injuries help to provide an excellent cosmetic fix, but it is also essential for restoring, and maintaining, proper function of facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts.
Injuries to Facial Bones
When you have broken facial bones or a fractured jaw, the bones need to be set. However, unlike other bones in your body, your facial bones cannot be placed in a cast. Instead, we use other methods to stabilize your facial bones. After your exam, we will be able to determine what method of treatment is best for you.
One way in which we stabilize facial bones is through the use of wires. Commonly used for a fractured jaw, your mouth is wired shut, which helps to promote healing. After a predetermined amount of time, we remove the wiring and check the stability of your jaw. If it is strong enough, you will move on to rehabilitation. If not, we replace the wiring and check again later. While this treatment is effective, it does render your jaw immobile, making eating very difficult.
The other way in which we stabilize facial bones is through the use of plates and screws, or “rigid fixation.” This method of treatment avoids wiring your jaw closed, providing you with the ability to use it while you heal. This type of treatment can also reduce recovery time, having you back to your normal daily activities sooner. In some cases, the plate and screws are left in place after you have fully healed.
Injuries to Your Teeth
Tooth injuries are extremely common with facial trauma. Teeth may be fractured, and the supporting bone damaged. Teeth may be partially displaced or knocked out completely. We can repair damaged bone, reset displaced teeth, and replant the ones that have been completely knocked out. The teeth are stabilized in a variety of ways, including splits, wiring, or bonding teeth together.
Team Treatment
When you experience facial trauma, a team of experts is often required to help you achieve the best possible results. This may include other dental professionals (such as an endodontist) as well as other medical professionals. We contribute by providing the emergency treatment, care, and rehabilitation you need to help restore function aesthetics
Facial trauma requires expert care. If you have experienced facial trauma, contact Stamford Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Arts today at (203) 325-2661!
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