Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained and experienced in emergency care and facial trauma injury treatment. All oral surgeons receive hands-on training in a hospital setting, and many oral surgeons are active members of emergency care teams at hospitals to help with facial injury cases. Drs. Miller, George, and Leet have a deep understanding of the important nerves, glands, and other crucial structures that can be damaged during an injury. Oral surgeons are trained to repair all kinds of facial injuries while using techniques that minimize scarring and restore the overall appearance and balance of the facial structures.
Types of Oral and Facial Injuries
Our oral surgeons can treat a wide range of different facial conditions. A few of the types of facial injuries that oral surgeons can treat include the following:
- Facial cuts
- Intraoral cuts
- Tooth injuries or avulsed teeth
- Facial bone fractures
- Jaw fractures and injuries
Our staff understands that facial injuries can be both physically and emotionally taxing, which is why they treat every patient with extreme care and compassion. Both of our oral surgeons are on staff at local hospitals to provide emergency room care to those in need of more serious procedures, but some facial injuries can be treated from the convenience of one of our surgical offices. If you experience a facial injury, we will do everything possible to see you the day you call.
Facial Trauma Injury Treatment
Every facial trauma case is unique, so the exact treatment will depend on the patient’s condition and medical history. In general, most injuries can fall into three categories: facial bone injuries, tooth injuries, and cuts or lacerations.
Facial Bone Injuries and Fractures. For bone injuries to heal, the fracture must be stabilized. When other body parts are fractured, a cast is used to keep injured bones in place, but it’s not possible or practical to hold facial bones in place using an external cast. Instead, oral surgeons use advanced methods to stabilize facial fractures. In most cases, small wires, screws, or plates will be surgically placed to secure the bones in place. One crucial part of facial fracture treatment is restoring the facial appearance, and our surgeons use techniques that hide or eliminate facial scars for the best possible result.
Cuts and Lacerations. Facial cuts can occur both outside and inside of the mouth. Most often, these injuries are repaired using sutures. Dissolvable sutures can sometimes be used to eliminate the need for an additional appointment to remove the stitches. Sometimes less severe cuts can be fixed without the use of sutures. In any case, your oral surgeon will use a technique that yields the best cosmetic result possible.
Tooth Damage. Injuries to teeth and the surrounding oral structures can cause permanent damage if they are not treated immediately, but oral surgeons can often save the natural tooth, even in some cases of avulsion (a completely knocked-out tooth). If your tooth is knocked out, bring it to our office as soon as possible. Chances of saving the tooth drop substantially after the first half an hour after the injury. Do not wipe off any attached tissues. Instead, preserve your tooth in some saliva or whole milk and bring it in right away. Oral surgeons can stabilize knocked-out teeth through wiring or bonding to restore your natural tooth successfully.
Broken or chipped teeth can also be restored through treatments performed by oral surgeons. Your repaired tooth will look identical to your other healthy teeth, and you will be able to smile with confidence. If your natural tooth is damaged beyond repair, we also offer permanent tooth replacement options such as dental implants, which look and function just like your natural healthy teeth do.
Facial Injury Treatment at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Our team is prepared to handle emergency situations when they arise. If you need treatment for a facial injury, Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery can help. For more severe injuries, be sure to seek emergency treatment as soon as possible; Dr. Miller, Dr. George, and Dr. Leet are on staff at local hospitals to treat serious facial injuries.