Facial Trauma

Facial Trauma

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the most qualified specialist to treat a facial trauma injury because they have dedicated several years of education and training to understand facial function and aesthetics. When an injury to the teeth, jaw bone, or face occurs, restoring function and balance to the face is essential to successful treatment.

California Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center will do our best to see you as soon as possible after an injury. However, we understand that facial trauma injuries are unexpected and occur at any time. If you or your child have experienced a facial trauma injury that occurs after-hours or is extensive in nature, please go to the nearest emergency room. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon on-call will treat you.

Common facial trauma injuries include

  • Facial lacerations (cuts)
  • Intraoral lacerations (cuts inside the mouth)
  • Broken and knocked-out teeth
  • Fractured jaw or facial bones

Treating Facial Injuries

California Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center is here for you to treat your oral and maxillofacial needs, including facial trauma injuries. We will see you as soon as we can for prompt evaluation and treatment. The severity and location of your facial trauma injury, along with other factors, will determine the course of treatment. They may include the following:

Facial Cuts

In general, a cut to the face or mouth requires stitches. Your oral surgeon can close the wound using a specific technique that will allow for optimal healing and minimal scarring.

Facial Fractures

When a bone has broken in another part of the body, they can usually be stabilized using traditional casts. However, facial fractures cannot be stabilized this way. Instead, wires, screws, and plates are used to set the facial bones.

Dental Injuries

A dentist will usually fix a tooth that is broken or cracked, but a severe injury to one tooth or multiple teeth may require an oral surgeon. Examples of severe dental injuries include a tooth being completely knocked out or broken at the socket.

If you have experienced a severe dental injury, please visit our office as soon as possible. The window of time to save a natural tooth is narrow — within the first 30 minutes after the injury has occurred. Bring the tooth with you in a container or saliva or whole milk. Do not wipe off the tooth or try to disinfect it.

Despite our best efforts, some teeth may not be saved after an injury has occurred. If this happens, your oral surgeon can discuss your options for tooth replacement, such as a dental implant.

Facial Trauma Treatment

Any facial trauma injury requires immediate treatment. One of our doctors at California Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center will see you as soon as possible for prompt treatment. If your injury is severe, extensive, or occurs after-hours, please visit the nearest emergency room to be treated by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon on-call.