Facial trauma, also termed maxillofacial trauma, is intricate and typically demands specialized attention from a proficient oral surgeon. Home remedies such as an ice pack are rarely sufficient. Moreover, those with maxillofacial injuries often undergo prolonged treatments.
We hope to help you understand facial trauma, its intricacies, and its treatments. We intend to prevent potential mistakes that could adversely affect your future health.
If you’ve recently encountered significant facial trauma and are grappling with pain, consider it a dental emergency. Reach out to one of Dental Depot Arizona’s offices urgently for same-day attention.
Common occurrences leading to these injuries are sports mishaps, vehicle accidents, or assaults. At Dental Depot Arizona, we often attend to patients with dentoalveolar injuries, arising from sudden blows to the mouth. Such injuries can even lead to numbness.
Common Causes of Facial Injuries: Facial trauma can arise from various incidents, including:
Classifying Facial Injuries: At Dental Depot Arizona, we categorize facial traumas into:
For any facial trauma, immediate expert intervention is crucial. Dental Depot Arizona stands equipped to handle such cases with precision and care.
Facial injuries carry significant implications. The potential for permanent disfigurement looms large, threatening not only facial function but also one’s self-image. Our face is often the first point of interaction, shaping first impressions. Hence, an altered appearance can profoundly impact self-esteem, potentially influencing personal relationships and career aspirations. At Dental Depot Arizona, we emphasize the importance of timely and expert treatment to mitigate such repercussions.
Detecting facial trauma involves a thorough examination. Begin by assessing facial symmetry and watch out for any discrepancies. Visible signs like bruises, swelling, and cuts are evident indicators. The nose may show signs of dislocation or telecanthus – a condition where the nasal bridge appears widened and flattened. It’s also crucial to inspect the mouth for missing teeth, loose teeth, or misalignment of the jaw. With these checks, you can quickly determine the presence and extent of trauma.
Addressing such injuries often follows a phased approach.
In the initial phase, our focus is on stabilizing the fractured segments. We achieve this using petite titanium plates and screws. Additionally, any loose teeth are secured to an arch bar for added stability.
The subsequent phase centers around restoration. Here, bone grafts are introduced to mend defects, setting the groundwork for future dental implants and eventual replacement teeth. These grafts might be sourced from different parts of the patient’s jaw or procured from a human cadaver.
Typically, the healing process for bone grafts spans between four to six months.
Maxillary fractures, which affect the upper jaw, can be intricate. To grasp their nature, it’s vital to know that the maxilla is divided into three sections: upper, mid, and lower maxilla. The type and severity of facial trauma determine the classification of these fractures.
Le Fort 1: This is a horizontal fracture, affecting the lower part of the Maxilla, often extending to the lower nasal septum. Such a fracture might be a result of a direct downward impact on the maxillary rim.
Le Fort 2: Characterized by its pyramid shape, this fracture is a consequence of trauma to the lower or mid maxilla. Starting from the nasal bridge, it spans to the frontal maxilla, leading to facial swelling, nosebleeds, and sub-conjunctival hemorrhage.
Le Fort 3: A crosswise fracture, also recognized as craniofacial disjunction, happens due to trauma to the nasal bridge or the upper maxilla. It results in the separation of facial bones from the cranial base.
A paramount concern post such trauma is the risk of blocked airways. Ensuring open air passages is crucial. Should there be facial obstructions, realignments are done immediately to restore airflow and reduce bleeding. Our primary treatment objective is to restore the natural bone structure without any visible traces of the injury.
For treating soft tissue injuries, we employ surgical sutures. The approach for bone fractures varies depending on the location, severity, and the overall health of the patient. While casts aren’t feasible for facial fractures, we utilize wires, plates, or screws for stabilization.
Some patients might need dental braces post-treatment. We always aim to maintain the patient’s original facial appearance as much as possible.
With advancements in technology, we now employ microplates and resorbable plates for facial fracture treatments. Depending on the nature of the dental injury, collaborative efforts of multiple dental specialists might be required.
Fractures of the lower jaw, or mandibular fractures, are prevalent, commonly resulting from direct impacts to the chin or the body of the lower jaw. Typical signs include pain, swelling, numbness in the lower lip, and misalignment of the teeth.
There are two main treatment approaches:
Regardless of the chosen method, recovery typically spans four to six weeks. At Dental Depot Arizona, our commitment is to ensure a swift and efficient healing process for all our patients.
Zygomas, commonly referred to as cheekbone fractures, often result from altercations or direct blows from a fist or other object. Symptoms manifest as a flattened cheek appearance, numbness in the mid-face, challenges in chewing, and restricted mouth opening due to limited motion.
At Dental Depot Arizona, the standard treatment involves:
The typical recovery period spans between four to six weeks, during which our team provides continuous support and guidance to ensure optimal healing.
When it comes to addressing facial traumas, Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons stand out due to their specialized training and extensive experience. Beyond the rigors of dental school, they undergo an additional four to six years of hospital-based residency that predominantly focuses on maxillofacial surgery. This depth of training and hands-on experience makes them exceptionally skilled in managing intricate facial traumas compared to other medical specialists.
Our esteemed surgeons at Dental Depot Arizona are well-versed in handling facial injuries. The majority of their four-year surgical residency in hospitals revolved around maxillofacial procedures. Not only do they draw from their vast in-hospital experiences and practices, but they are also committed to ongoing education. This dedication ensures they stay abreast of cutting-edge techniques, enabling them to offer patients the pinnacle of care when confronting serious facial injuries.
