3 Reasons to Seek Facial Trauma Treatment

Facial Trauma Treatment Denver, CO

Facial trauma treatment differs based on the severity and location of the damage. Continue reading to learn how an oral surgeon addresses facial trauma. It can cause other medical issues, so it is important to seek treatment promptly. An oral surgeon is a face trauma specialist who is trained in maxillofacial surgery and treatment. They have the education and skills to treat patients who have sustained an injury that requires immediate attention, emergency treatment, and reconstruction.

3 Situations where facial trauma treatment may be necessary

Bone fractures, soft tissue injury to the gums and skin, or damage to the facial nerves, salivary glands, or eyes are all examples of facial trauma. The trauma could be from falling, a car accident, physical assault, or a sports accident. When there are fractured bones in the face, they must be lined up and held in place for some time to heal correctly. This might take six weeks or longer, depending on the extent of the damage and the patient’s age. The following are reasons to seek facial trauma treatment:

1. Upper or lower jaw fracture

If a patient suffers fractures of the lower jaw (mandible) and upper jaw (maxilla), the oral surgeon will typically perform orthognathic surgery and orthodontic therapy. This is necessary so that patients can open and close their mouths, chew properly, and realign the jaw correctly for a normal bite. The procedure may require wiring the jaw to heal the fracture or repositioning the bones and holding them with screws and plates pending healing. The process is known as "rigid fixation" and it takes less time to recuperate than jaw wiring.

2. Eye socket, nose, or cheekbone fractures

Facial fractures can lead to swelling or the feeling that the teeth are misaligned. It may also be difficult to open and close your mouth. If the fracture is not significant, the dentist may suggest sticking to a liquid diet for a certain period to allow the damage to heal on its own. If the patient needs a dental operation, the jaw will be wired shut, or, in the event of a fractured jaw, the bones will be surgically put in place and secured together with screws and plates.

3. Lacerations on the face and mouth

Face injuries need suturing to fix the damage and avoid infection. The oral surgeon will also need to examine and treat injuries to the salivary glands, ducts, and facial nerves. For intra-oral lacerations, the oral surgeon may recommend suturing and requires careful examination to rule out damaged teeth or a fractured cheek or jaw. Most wounds heal fast, but the oral surgeon will check on you again after 48 hours to ensure the injury is healing properly and is not infected.

Final note

If the patient suffers a knocked-out tooth and there is no damage to the bone or the tooth itself, the dental professional may be able to restore the tooth and keep it in place with a soft wire splint. After a month or two, the root should reattach to the bone, allowing the splint to be removed.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drjstearns.com or call Platte Valley Oral Surgery at (303) 997-0220 for an appointment in our Denver office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Facial Trauma Treatment in Denver, CO.

Recent Posts

How A Tooth Replacement Can Transform Your Smile

A missing tooth must get a tooth replacement as soon as possible. An untreated dental gap can contribute to many dental issues. That is why a dental replacement is important. Here are the details on how a tooth replacement can improve your smile.An oral surgeon understands how tooth loss can affect a patient. A tooth…

What Type Of Procedures Do Oral Surgeons Perform?

Learning what an oral surgeon does is a great idea. There are many different types of dental professionals in business, making it necessary to understand the differences between each type of professional. When it comes to oral surgeons, they tend to focus on correcting dental problems using one or more surgical processes.Consultation appointments with oral…

Common Oral Pathologies And How To Treat Them

An oral pathology must receive immediate treatment. This can prevent more complications later on. Your oral surgeon can help correct any dental problem. Here are the details about each common oral pathology and its corresponding treatment.This oral pathology results from a bacterial infection because of plaque buildup. Symptoms of this condition include gum bleeding and…

Will I Have Facial Structure Changes After A Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure that a majority of people in the U.S. undergo at some point in life. One concern often voiced before surgery is the possibility that the procedure can result in facial structure changes, but this is an unlikely complication.The wisdom teeth are the final set of molars at the…

Recent Posts

How A Tooth Replacement Can Transform Your Smile

How A Tooth Replacement Can Transform Your Smile

A missing tooth must get a tooth replacement as soon as possible. An untreated dental gap can contribute to many dental issues. That is why a dental replacement is important. Here are the details on how a tooth replacement can improve your smile.An oral surgeon understands how tooth loss can affect a patient. A tooth…

What Type Of Procedures Do Oral Surgeons Perform?

What Type Of Procedures Do Oral Surgeons Perform?

Learning what an oral surgeon does is a great idea. There are many different types of dental professionals in business, making it necessary to understand the differences between each type of professional. When it comes to oral surgeons, they tend to focus on correcting dental problems using one or more surgical processes.Consultation appointments with oral…