Any injury to the head and neck region can lead to trauma of the facial tissues including:
All steps taken to treat these injuries comprise Facial Trauma Management and are performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Common causes of facial trauma include
These may lead to fractures of the facial bones that can result in:
Many facial fractures can be managed without surgery using simple conservative fracture reduction techniques. Consult your maxillofacial surgeon to find out if this is a treatment option for you.
Most facial fractures require bones to be surgically set in place and fixed using small titanium plates. Rigid fixation of the fracture allows for early mobilization of the bones and a shorter recovery period than non-surgical techniques.
Facial fractures are treated by manually setting the displaced facial bones (reduction) in place and holding them in the correct position (immobilization) for a period of time that allows bones to heal.
Surgical reduction and fixation of fractures yields a more accurate outcome than non-surgical techniques and allows early return to normal function. These surgeries can be performed from inside the oral cavity, leaving no scars on the face.
Healing facial fractures require good post-operative care in terms of diet and wound hygiene. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may need:
Improperly treated facial fractures may be associated with:
