Facial Trauma Treatments From an Oral Surgeon

Looking for information on facial trauma treatment? Read on to learn more. Facial trauma includes injuries to the facial structures, including fractures, lacerations, and tooth damage. Besides the physical appearance, these injuries may also affect oral function and quality of life. Oral surgeons offer facial trauma treatment to restore both form and function. If you have experienced injuries to the face, it helps to know what to expect when you visit a medical professional for facial trauma treatment.

An overview of facial trauma treatment

Facial trauma treatment generally begins with a diagnosis and assessment of the patient. Oral surgeons will assess the patient physically, review medical records, and use imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI. The assessment allows them to create a personalized treatment plan depending on the outcomes of the diagnostic process.

Different facial traumas have different treatment approaches. The type of injury (tissue or structure) falls into three categories:

1. Soft tissue injuries

They include skin and mucosal tissue injuries, including lacerations, deep cuts, and abrasions. These injuries tend to result from accidents or altercations and could cause superficial damage, and affect parts like nerves, salivary glands, and ducts. The treatment goal is primarily to ensure a predictable wound-healing process, especially in cases of surface cuts or deep lacerations, for aesthetically pleasing results.

Oral surgeons use suturing to align the wound edges so they will not leave visible scars. Injuries that are close to delicate structures like the nerves or ducts require extra care to avoid disrupting their normal function.

2. Bone injuries

These injuries include fractures of the facial skeleton, including the mandible (jawbone), cheekbones, nasal bones, and the orbit (eye sockets). Such injuries might result from blunt force, falls, sports injuries, or automobile crashes. The oral surgeon will try to realign and stabilize the injury to ensure proper healing.

Oral surgeons use varying techniques depending on the location and severity of the fracture. Stabilizing and aligning bones may require using internal fixation devices like titanium plates and screws. Sometimes, external fixation or wiring is necessary. The treatment goal is to restore the facial structure to its natural symmetry and function.

3. Dental injuries

Damage to the teeth and supporting structures can range from small chips or cracks to more serious problems such as tooth displacement or total avulsion (knock-out). Dental injuries are treated in various ways, from basic procedures for minor injuries to complex reconstructions for severe trauma. In case of a tooth chip or crack, dental bonding using composite material can help repair the damage.

For knocked-out teeth, the oral surgeon will use re-implantation and stabilization methods, which may involve splinting the tooth to adjacent teeth. This allows the supporting structures to heal. In some cases, they may perform a root canal treatment to save the tooth. Reimplantation is generally possible if the patient seeks treatment promptly after the incident. If the teeth are beyond saving, the dental professional may recommend dental implants or bridges as teeth replacements to restore normal oral function.

The objective is always to maintain or restore oral health and appearance while considering how dental restorations match and blend with adjacent teeth. Each type of facial injury presents its challenges and requires a coordinated effort across different disciplines toward functional and cosmetic recovery. Depending on the severity of the injury, oral surgeons may collaborate with general dentists and doctors to provide a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient.

Oral surgeons also treat facial trauma with non-surgical treatments. This might include prescribing medication to ease pain and inflammation, suggesting diets to support recovery and self-care recommendations at home.

Recovery and rehabilitation

How well a patient recovers from facial trauma depends on how severe the injury is and the treatment. Follow-up appointments with oral surgeons are important to monitor healing and make adjustments to the treatment plan. During recovery, patients may be advised to maintain oral hygiene, change diet, and engage in physical activities.

If someone sustains a jaw fracture or TMJ injury, they will most certainly need physical therapy to get back to normal functioning and comfort. It also involves emotional and psychological help for the process of healing because facial injuries can significantly affect self-esteem and psychological health.

Final note

Facial trauma treatment and management require proper medical attention. Oral surgeons are crucial in this process and provide specialized surgical and non-surgical options to handle the particular challenges of each situation. Their goal is to repair the physical damage while also improving the quality of their patient’s lives. If you sustain facial trauma, such as bone fracture or soft tissue injuries, get in touch with an oral surgeon immediately for facial trauma treatment.

Request an appointment here: https://arroyogrande.centralcoastoms.com or call Wilson Oral Surgery at (805) 476-2567 for an appointment in our Arroyo Grande office.

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