Treating Facial Trauma
Key Takeaways
Facial trauma resulting from accidents or sports requires prompt treatment from a maxillofacial surgeon to address injuries like knocked-out teeth, soft-tissue lacerations, and bone fractures. Key takeaways include the need to preserve dislodged teeth in milk or saltwater for potential replanting, recognizing symptoms like a misaligned bite or loss of sensation, and seeking a specialist who can manage both functional reconstruction and the emotional impact of the injury. Early intervention through suturing, stabilizing fractures with hardware, or restorative dental work is essential for ensuring proper long-term healing and appearance.
Facial Trauma and Oral Health: What Do You Need to Know?
In the event of certain facial traumas, it’s vital to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon as soon as possible. Our doctors are specially trained to manage and treat facial injuries, which can create emotional trauma in addition to physical pain.
In this post, we’ll cover the types and causes of trauma that often require treatment by a maxillofacial specialist and discuss what you should look for in an oral surgeon.
When Does Facial Trauma Require an Oral Surgeon?
Motor vehicle accidents and sports are two of the most common causes of facial trauma, but any type of accidental fall can lead to damage. Scenarios that likely will require the specialized training of an oral surgeon include:
Knocked out teeth
Severe facial lacerations
Lacerations inside the mouth
Fractures of the jaw, cheek, nose or eye socket
How is Facial Trauma Typically Treated?
Teeth that are knocked out should be placed in salt water or milk to increase the likelihood that they can be replanted successfully. Often, damaged teeth will be bonded together for stabilization during healing. Teeth that have been knocked out and do not survive, or teeth that are fractured beyond repair, are typically replaced with dental implants. Root canal therapy and other restorative dental procedures may be needed after the initial healing following emergency care.
Soft tissue injuries, such as deep cuts or tears, are repaired by suturing. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to treat soft tissue injuries and to look for related problems that might be present, such as injuries to facial nerves, salivary glands and salivary ducts.
Oral surgeons also treat breaks in the nose, cheekbones and upper or lower jaw. Small hairline fractures may be left to heal on their own. Significant fractures will likely require the bone to be reset to its natural position for healing. In those cases, surgery may be needed along with titanium plates, screws or wires to hold the bone in place.
It’s not always easy to tell when a break has occurred. If you experience a facial injury with one or more of the following symptoms, it’s best to see a maxillofacial surgeon.
| SYMPTOM | POTENTIAL UNDERLYING CAUSE | POTENTIAL TREATMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive swelling and pain | Soft tissue bruising, deep lacerations, or underlying fractures. | Resetting the bone to its natural position; use of titanium plates, screws, or wires for stabilization. |
| Teeth not touching (misaligned bite) | Fractures of the upper or lower jaw (mandible or maxilla). | Nutritional Deficiencies & Frailty |
| Changes in facial sensation | Damage to facial nerves or trauma to the salivary glands/ducts. | Micro-surgical repair of nerves or ducts; monitoring for long-term sensory recovery. |
| Loss of facial mobility | Severe bone fractures or nerve impingement. | Surgical reconstruction and rehabilitation to restore functional movement. |
| Knocked out or loose teeth | Dental avulsion or alveolar bone trauma. | Immediate replanting, bonding for stabilization, or long-term replacement with dental implants. |
How Should You Choose a Doctor to Treat Facial Trauma?
In the event of an emergency, you may not have a lot of time to research oral and maxillofacial surgeons—and most times the best decision will be to go to an emergency room for an evaluation. But try to choose an oral surgeon with the following qualifications:
Hands-on experience in emergency care
Well-versed in acute treatment and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation
A strong understanding of how treatment options will affect both function and appearance
Your First Choice for Specialized Trauma Recovery
While the emergency room is the right place for a life-threatening crisis, the Center for Oral Surgery + Dental Implants is the premier West Michigan destination for the specialized repair of facial and dental injuries. Our surgeons bring an elite level of expertise to delicate procedures such as nerve repair, jaw stabilization, and dental replanting.
When it comes to your face, specialized care is the key to preserving your appearance and function. Make us your first call for facial trauma to ensure you receive expert treatment from caring specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if a tooth is completely knocked out?
You should see an oral surgeon immediately. To save the tooth, handle it only by the crown (not the root) and place it in a container of milk or salt water to keep the cells alive until it can be replanted and stabilized.
2. How can I tell if my jaw or facial bones are fractured?
While some hairline fractures are hard to detect, common signs of a break include excessive swelling, a "malocclusion" (where your teeth no longer fit together correctly when you bite), loss of facial mobility, or a change in skin sensation.
3. What treatments are used for facial bone fractures?
Minor fractures may heal on their own with rest. However, significant breaks require the surgeon to reset the bone and potentially use titanium plates, screws, or wires to hold the structure in place during the healing process.
4. Why should I see a maxillofacial specialist instead of just a general doctor?
Maxillofacial surgeons have specialized training in the complex anatomy of the face. They are uniquely qualified to repair delicate soft tissue (like salivary glands and facial nerves) and ensure that treatments maintain both your physical appearance and your ability to chew and speak.
5. Will I need more procedures after the initial emergency treatment?
Often, yes. While the first priority is stabilization, long-term recovery may involve restorative work such as root canals, dental implants for lost teeth, or reconstructive surgery to improve facial symmetry and function.
