Facial Trauma

Oral surgeons provide treatment to injuries involving the head, neck, mouth, and face. These oral and maxillofacial regions require delicate care and attention to ensure pleasing aesthetics following recovery and proper function. At Full Smile Dental, our experts customize treatment to match your exact needs and will walk you through each step of the treatment process. For treatment of facial trauma injuries, contact our experts in Dumas, Canyon, Amarillo, Farwell, and Dalhart, TX.

Please note: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. 

Types of Facial Trauma 

Treatment for facial trauma focuses on injuries to the oral and maxillofacial areas. Facial trauma can be the result of accidents in the workplace, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, or acts of violence. The skin, teeth, soft tissues, and facial bones can all be affected. There are different types of facial injuries, and treatment will depend on the type and extent of your injury. These include: 

• Soft Tissue Injuries. This includes lacerations to the face or inside the mouth. A soft tissue injury can affect the facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts. 
• Facial Bone Injuries. Just like other bones in your body, facial bones can become cracked or broken. This includes the cheeks, nose, eye sockets, and jaws. 
• Teeth Injuries. This includes broken or knocked-out teeth and damage to surrounding structures such as the gums and other teeth roots. 

Facial Trauma Treatment 

Treatment will vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. We will likely take 3D scans of your mouth and face to evaluate the state of the bones and tissues when creating a treatment plan. 

Treatment for lacerations and cuts in the soft tissues may involve stitches or dissolvable sutures. Salivary glands or nerves that are damaged beyond repair can be removed. 

When you break a bone in your face, you cannot wear a cast over it like an arm or a leg. To treat injured facial bones, an oral surgeon uses plates and screws to fix the bones in place so they can heal. This type of treatment is known as rigid fixation and prevents the need to wire the jaws shut completely, although some patients may require wiring of the jaws to assist in healing. 

A knocked-out tooth should be brought to your dentist within 30 minutes for the highest chance of reattachment. Your dentist or oral surgeon will try to replant the tooth into its socket. If the tooth cannot be saved, we can replace it with a dental implant, so you don’t have to go without a tooth. A dental implant will restore your smile’s appearance and will provide the full functionality of a natural tooth. 

When treating any type of facial injury, our experts make sure to create the fewest number of incisions possible in the least visible areas. We understand the emotional impact that facial trauma can have, and our team is here to support you and your family throughout the recovery process.