Facial Trauma

Over three million facial trauma cases are treated each year by oral and maxillofacial surgeons across the country. In fact, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are key members of most emergency room trauma teams in their area. Just like a cardiologist will be called upon to treat heart-related conditions, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will be called up to manage and treat facial trauma cases.

We use our face for many vital functions, such as eating and breathing, making it extremely important to ensure that facial trauma is treated by an educated and qualified surgeon. When treating a facial trauma case, the goal is to restore facial aesthetics and proportions, correct the functionality of the jaw, and replace missing or damaged teeth. Dr. Balaci or Dr. Murphy at Balaci Oral and Facial Surgery treat emergency cases in Lebanon, PA, and are staffed at local hospitals to provide urgent care.

IMPORTANT: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. You will receive care from the oral surgeon on call.

What Causes Facial Trauma?

Various events in our patients’ day-to-day lives could lead to a facial trauma injury. Some of the most common causes of facial injuries include:

• Sports injuries
• Accidents in the home
• Work-related injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Physical assaults
• Falls

There are numerous ways that the face and mouth can be affected by trauma situations, making each facial trauma case unique. The area of the face that is injured and the severity of that injury will determine which procedure must be performed to treat the trauma properly. In some cases, multiple treatments are necessary to fully restore the face and mouth to its original function and appearance. Some of the more commonly seen facial trauma injuries include:

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

Treating Facial Trauma

When you come to Balaci Oral and Facial Surgery for treatment, we will take 3D scans to evaluate the bones and tissues of the affected area. These images also help us track the progress of your recovery to ensure proper function of the oral and maxillofacial region. We offer a variety of anesthesia and sedation options so that you can remain comfortable throughout any type of treatment.

Minor injuries, such as knocked-out teeth or facial laceration, may only require the placement of dental implants or sutures. Serious incidents may involve a more complex approach and require the use of more than one treatment. In either case, it is extremely important to treat facial trauma cases quickly and efficiently to ensure that the mouth and face are fully restored and do not develop long-term complications, such as tooth misalignment, the development of disorders of the temporomandibular joint of the jaw, or jaw bone deterioration.