Facial Trauma – Carmel Valley | Del Mar | San Diego

 

Maxillofacial trauma is any injury to the face or jaw. Common causes of facial trauma include…

• Sports-related Injuries
• Automobile Accidents
• Falls
• Violence
• Work-Related Accidents

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) specializes in emergency care and acute treatment of physical trauma following injury to the face or jaw.

Facial Trauma and Maxillofacial Injuries

At Torrey Pines Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we know that facial trauma can be an especially sensitive ordeal for patients. The injury might temporarily alter a patient’s facial appearance, affecting their sense of self. Dr. Tarkan Sidal is specially trained to restore your natural facial appearance and preserve its physical function.   

 

Dr. Sidal and the skilled team at Torrey Pines OMS deliver emergency room coverage for facial injuries, including…

 

• Facial lacerations: soft tissue injuries to the face
• Intra-oral lacerations: soft tissue injuries inside the mouth
• Avulsed teeth (knocked-out teeth)
• Facial bone fractures: cheek, nose, and eye socket injuries
• Jaw fractures: injuries to the upper and/or lower jawbone

 

Types of Facial Injuries and Treatments

The team at Torrey Pines OMS sees a wide range of facial trauma cases. Sports and auto accidents are among the most common cause, but each patient’s case requires a unique approach. Most facial injuries are soft-tissue, facial fracture, or tooth injuries.

Soft Tissue Injuries and/or Lacerations

Soft tissue injuries to the face and mouth can leave visible scars and damage facial nerves, glands, and ducts. Intra-oral soft tissue injuries require attentive cleaning to avoid infections post-surgery. Maxillofacial surgeons pay special attention to the cosmetic quality of facial soft tissue treatment to repair nerve endings and avoid leaving scars.

Avulsed and Damaged Teeth

Sports-related injuries can often result in a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth. In the event of a knocked-out tooth, rinse the tooth with cool water and place it back into the socket. Do not try to sanitize or wipe off the tooth and contact emergency care as soon as possible following the injury.

 

Some patients experience the loss of a tooth but fail to seek professional oral care following the facial trauma. This neglect can cause problems to the rest of the teeth, jaw, and facial structure. The long-term repercussions of leaving a missing or broken tooth untreated are far worse than any short-term inconveniences of getting it replaced.

Facial Fractures: Broken Nose, Cheekbone, or Jawbone

Facial trauma often causes fractures to the nose, cheek, or jawbones. Surgeons are especially careful to avoid creating visible scars or cosmetic blemishes during treatment. Since traditional casts and splints won’t work, facial fractures require a different method of healing than other broken bones.

Oral surgeons use plates and screws to anchor broken bones in place. Over time, the broken bone heals back together with the healthy bone.

 

Your OMS might recommend a tooth restoration or replacement treatment if the facial injury involves a jaw fracture. Jaw fractures can result in a misalignment of the teeth. An OMS typically uses wire to realign the jawbone and bite.

What to Do if You Sustain a Facial Trauma

After sustaining a serious facial trauma or sports injury of any kind, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911. Contact Torrey Pines OMS to schedule a maxillofacial consultation and learn about the next steps to treating your facial injury.