Injuries to the face impart a high degree of emotional as well as physical trauma to patients. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained, skilled and qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. The management of facial trauma requires specialized techniques because the management influences the patient’s long term function and appearance.
Facial trauma includes-
(1.) Facial Lacerations
(2.) Intra Oral Lacerations
(3.) Avulsed Teeth
(4.) Fractured facial bones, Cheek, Eye socket, Nose, Forehead
(5.) Fractured jaws (upper and lower)
Causes and Nature of Facial Trauma
There are number of causes such as road traffic accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, work related injuries and interpersonal violence. The injuries are classified as
(1.) Soft tissue injuries (Skin and Gum)
(2.) Bony injuries (fractures)
(3.) Injuries to special region (eye, facial, nerves and salivary gland)
Soft Tissue Injuries
Laceration are generally repaired by suturing to yield best cosmetic result and management even involves scar revision wherein an already sutured area with unsatisfying result can be repaired by resuturing.
Bony injuries of the face
Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in a similar manner to the fractures in other parts of body. When any bone in the body fractures. A cast is often applied to stabilize bone to allow for proper healing since cast cannot be applied to the face, so the method to treat facial injuries are following.
Closed Reduction
Open Reduction
Closed Reduction:- Involves wiring jaws together for 4 to 6 weeks depending on the type , location location, severity & age of the patient.
Open Reduction:- Involves stabilization of fracture by placement of small plates & screws at the involved site. This technique can often allow for healing without having the necessity of having jaws wired to gather. This is called RIGID FIXATION. It has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients allowing them to return to normal function quickly. Most of these plates are put from inside the mouth. Your surgeon is one who can decide the best treatment for you amongst these two.
Injuries To Teeth
Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common & may require the expertise of various clinical specialists Oral surgeons usually are involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or in replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These type of injuries are treated by various forms of splinting methods (Stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If the tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in salt water or milk. The sooner the tooth is reinserted into the dental socket, the better chance it will have to survive. There for the patient should see a dentist, oral surgeon as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in jaw are attached and are vital to success of replanting the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called upon such as endodontists who may be asked to perform RCT (Root Canal Treatment) and/or restorative dentists who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth can not be saved or repaired, dental implants are often now utilized as replacement of missing teeth.