An Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeon is educated and trained to provide the proper treatment for facial trauma. In addition to their training in the acute treatment of these injuries, these professionals also must be well-versed in providing critical care, long-term care, and rehabilitation—not only of the physical condition, but also of the patient’s emotional well-being.
Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are 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.
Drs. Nail and Dombrowski meet and exceed these 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:
There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence, and work-related injuries. Types of facial injuries can range from injuries of the teeth to severe injuries of the skin or bones of the face. Typically, facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums) or bony injuries/fractures. Additional injuries can occur to the salivary glands, in the sockets around the eyes, and to facial nerves.
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). Doctors Nail and Dombrowski are certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and are proficient at diagnosing and treating all manner of facial lacerations.
Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in a manner similar to fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, including the location of the fracture, the severity, and 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 alternate stabilizing options involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. 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, called “rigid fixation,” can often allow for healing while removing the necessity of having the jaws wired together. 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 the most thorough manner. More importantly, the patient’s facial appearance should be minimally affected. Accessing the facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary is always our practice. At the same time, the incisions that become necessary are designed to be small and, whenever possible, placed so that the resultant scar is hidden.
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 stabilizing.
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 that 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 utilized as replacements for missing teeth.
The proper treatment of facial injuries is now the realm of our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, who as specialists are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the patient.
