Facial Trauma

Facial Trauma

The oral surgery specialist performs the proper treatment of facial injuries. These professionals must be well versed in emergency care, acute treatment and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation – not just for physical reasons but emotional as well. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained, skilled and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high degree of emotional, as well as physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training involving a “hands on” experience and an understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient’s long term function and appearance.

Our doctors meet and exceed these modern standards. They are trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. They are on staff at local hospitals and deliver emergency room coverage for facial injuries, which include the following conditions: 

  • Facial lacerations
  • Intra oral lacerations
  • Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
  • Fractured facial bones (cheek, nose or eye socket)
  • Fractured jaws (upper and lower jaw)

The Nature of Maxillofacial Trauma

There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence, and work-related injuries. Types of facial injuries can range from injuries of teeth to extremely severe injuries of the skin and bones of the face. Typically, facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves or the salivary glands).

Soft Tissue Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region

When soft tissue injuries such as lacerations occur on the face, they are repaired by suturing. In addition to the obvious concern of providing a repair that yields the best cosmetic result possible, care is taken to inspect for and treat injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts (or outflow channels). Our doctors are well-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons and are proficient at diagnosing and treating all types of facial lacerations.

Bone Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region

Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in a manner similar to the fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, which include the location of the fracture, the severity of the fracture, the age, and general health of the patient. When an arm or a leg is fractured, a cast is often applied to stabilize the bone to allow for proper healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, other means have been developed to stabilize facial fractures.

One of these options involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Certain other types of fractures of the jaw are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the involved site. This technique of treatment can often allow for healing and obviates the necessity of having the jaws wired together. This technique is called “rigid fixation” of a fracture. The relatively recent development and use of rigid fixation has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.

The treatment of facial fractures should be accomplished in a thorough and predictable manner. More importantly, the patient’s facial appearance should be minimally affected. An attempt at accessing the facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary is always made. At the same time, the incisions that become necessary, are designed to be small and, whenever possible, are placed so that the resultant scar is hidden.

Injuries to the Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures

Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental 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 types of injuries are treated by one of a number of forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in salt water or milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the dental socket, the better chance it will survive. Therefore, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called upon such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often now utilized as replacements for missing teeth.

The proper treatment of facial injuries is now the realm of specialists who are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the patient.

Our Dental Offices Near You

Western New York Dental Group Webster

980 Ridge Road Webster NY 14580 Main (585) 667-1000

Western New York Dental Group Penfield

43 Willow Pond Way Suites 107 & 112 Penfield NY 14526 585-421-8168

Western New York Dental Group Greece

1524 Ridge Road West Stoneridge Plaza Rochester NY 14615 Main (585) 865-2200

Orthodontics (585) 510-6353

Western New York Dental Group Greece (Long Pond)

1100 Long Pond Road Suite 115 Rochester NY 14626 585-225-7790

Western New York Dental Group Henrietta: Jefferson Road

1300 Jefferson Road Suite 300 Rochester NY 14623 (585) 625-1250

Western New York Dental Group Brighton: West Henrietta Road

2024 W. Henrietta Road Suite 5J Rochester NY 14623 (585) 292-1270

Western New York Dental Group Gates

2300 Buffalo Road Building 400 Rochester NY 14624 585-426-3020


Western New York Dental Group Williamsville - Youngs Rd

1020 Youngs Road Suite 100, Youngs Center Williamsville NY 14221 716-636-1600
716-636-2595
Pediatrics 716-209-3331

Western New York Dental Group Hopkins (formerly Dr.Steven Stern)

867 Hopkins Road Williamsville NY 14221 (716) 688-9639
Fax (716) 688-9698

Western New York Dental Group Getzville

2430 N Forest Rd Suite 200 Getzville NY 14068 (716) 636-8686
Orthodontics (716) 343-0847

Western New York Dental Group Depew

6350 Transit Road Depew NY 14043 Main (716) 206-0718
Fax (716) 206-0728
Orthodontics (716) 343-0847

Western New York Dental Group Tonawanda

88 Niagara Street Tonawanda NY 14150 (716) 343-6711

Western New York Dental Group Buffalo Delaware Ave

2290 Delaware Ave Suite 300 Buffalo NY 14216 (716) 885-1905

Western New York Dental Group Buffalo Main St

2121 Main St Suite 310 Buffalo NY 14214 (716) 832-3108

Western New York Dental Group West Seneca

800 Harlem Road Suite 400 West Seneca NY 14224 716-824-5857

Western New York Dental Group Holland

9 North Main Street Holland NY 14080 (716) 537-2211

Western New York Dental Group Orchard Park

3326 Southwestern Blvd Orchard Park NY 14127 (716) 677-4255
Fax (716) 677-4358
Orthodontics (716) 343-0847
Pediatrics 716-209-3331

Western New York Dental Group Blasdell

3860 McKinley Parkway Suite 200 Blasdell NY 14219 (716) 649-1307

Western New York Dental Group Hamburg

5907 South Park Avenue Hamburg NY 14075 (716) 646-3912

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What Our Patients Say

  • What a team! From the reception staff to the hygienists to the doctors, everyone is warm welcoming and outstanding customer service. Building is clean and organized. They don't shame you but instead educate you on dental health. All in all, the best dentist office I have ever gone to and I won't be changing any time soon!

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    NY

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    NY

  • Out of all the dentists that take my insurance, they were the only who would get me in within 24 hours for an emergency. All the rest said 3 weeks to month. I have dental anxiety but not the traditional fear of pain and needles kind. The kind that stems from over 30 years of having dental problems and no dentist ever listening to me and taking me seriously. So, I've given up. But, already in just one visit, WNY Dental has been different. I don't expect a miracle, and even if in the end, It's ....

    Amy L.

    NY

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