What Is Facial Trauma?
Facial trauma refers to injuries affecting the face, which can range from soft tissue damage like lacerations to fractures of facial bones or injuries to special areas such as the eyes or facial nerves. These injuries often result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, or other incidents and can have both physical and emotional impacts. At North Mississippi Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, our oral and maxillofacial specialists are trained to treat facial trauma with precision, focusing on restoring function and appearance while minimizing long-term effects. If you find yourself with a traumatic dental injury, contact one of our locations in Tupelo, Southaven, or Corinth, MS.
How Is Facial Trauma Treated?
Facial trauma is addressed by our oral and maxillofacial specialists through various treatments aimed at restoring both function and appearance while minimizing emotional and physical impacts.
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Soft Tissue Repair: Lacerations on the face are carefully sutured to ensure the best possible cosmetic outcome. We will also inspect and treat damage to underlying structures like facial nerves, salivary glands, and ducts to prevent complications.
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Bone Fracture Stabilization: Facial bone fractures are stabilized using advanced techniques such as rigid fixation, where small plates and screws are surgically placed to support proper healing. In some cases, jaw wiring may be used for fractures of the upper or lower jaw, ensuring stability during recovery.
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Dental Injury Treatment: Our specialists address injuries to teeth by replanting knocked-out teeth through splinting methods, such as bonding or wiring teeth together. If the teeth cannot be saved, dental implants are often used as a replacement. Collaboration with other dental professionals may also be necessary for procedures like root canals or restorative work to ensure a comprehensive recovery.
These approaches are carefully tailored to each patient's needs, ensuring optimal results for long-term function and appearance.
What Are the Benefits of Treating Facial Trauma?
Facial trauma treatment provides both functional and cosmetic benefits, helping patients recover physically and emotionally. Some benefits include:
- Restores normal facial structure and function
- Enhances cosmetic appearance and minimizes visible scars
- Reduces pain and discomfort associated with injuries
- Prevents long-term complications like misaligned bones or impaired dental health
- Supports emotional recovery by addressing physical trauma effectively
Facial Trauma Reviews
Coming in with such a traumatic injury, this staff went above and beyond to show me how much I was cared about. God bless each individual who worked with me yesterday. Excellence at its finest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after facial trauma should I seek treatment or surgery?
It’s imperative to seek treatment for facial trauma as soon as possible. Delaying care can lead to improper bone healing, permanent misalignment, nerve damage, or infection, which may complicate future treatments and impact your appearance and function long term. Prompt evaluation by an oral and maxillofacial specialist ensures fractures are stabilized correctly, soft tissue injuries are repaired with minimal scarring, and dental injuries are addressed to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible.
What kind of scars or long-term changes should I expect after facial trauma repair surgery?
While our surgeons prioritize techniques that minimize visible scarring, some degree of scarring is inevitable with facial lacerations or surgical repairs. Incisions are often placed along natural skin creases or within the mouth when possible to reduce their appearance. Long-term changes depend on the severity of the injury, but with proper surgical care and follow-up, most patients achieve excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes. Your surgeon will discuss expected results and any scar treatment options during your recovery.
Can facial trauma treatment also correct bite or jaw alignment problems caused by the injury?
Yes, if your trauma affects your jaw alignment or bite, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will address these issues as part of your treatment plan. Fractures of the upper or lower jaw can shift your bite, and surgical realignment or stabilization using plates, screws, or jaw wiring can restore proper function. Correcting alignment not only improves chewing and speaking but also supports long-term oral health by preventing uneven wear or joint strain.
Comprehensive Care for Facial Trauma
If you've experienced facial trauma, don't wait to seek treatment. The experienced oral and maxillofacial specialists at North Mississippi Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates can help. We offer comprehensive care for facial injuries, from emergency care to long-term rehabilitation. With locations in Corinth, Southaven, and Tupelo, MS, our teams are here to help you recover and restore your appearance and function. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your path to recovery!