Facial Trauma can happen for a wide variety of reasons which can include accidents, sports injuries, falls, or violence. The most common types of facial injuries that are seen in trauma surgery include:
Myth: Facial trauma surgery is only cosmetic.
Fact: Not only does facial trauma surgery help with restoring the aesthetic look of your facial features, but the main focus is to restore the function of the jaw, improve chewing, and help improve speech.
Myth: Recovery from facial trauma surgery is extremely long and painful.
Fact: This will depend on the specific treatment and complexity of the procedure. However, there are many pain management options, which can make the recovery process a better experience.
Myth: Facial scarring is inevitable after surgery.
Fact: The oral surgeon uses specific and strategic techniques to minimize visible scarring, which will improve the results for the appearance.
Facial trauma surgery plays an indispensable role in the physical and emotional recovery of individuals who have suffered facial injuries.
If you or a loved one is facing the aftermath of facial trauma, our skilled team is here to help. Call for a Free consultation. (435) 215-1654
Facial trauma surgery is meant to fix and rebuild parts of the face that have been hurt or damaged from things like accidents, sports injuries, or violence. This type of surgery is used to treat many different types of facial issues, including broken bones in the jaw, cheekbone, eye socket, or nose, as well as cuts to the face, injuries inside the mouth, and damaged or missing teeth. The main goal is to restore the functionality of the facial aesthetics.
Assessing facial trauma starts with an exam and imaging like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to see the severity of the injury. This helps the oral surgeon with planning the right surgery for you. The surgeon looks at things like the severity of the injury and where it is located, the patient’s overall health, and how it affects chewing, speaking, and breathing.
There are many different types of procedures used for facial trauma surgery. A few of the most common include realignment and fixation of broken bones, suturing soft tissue lacerations, dental repair, and reconstructive surgeries for more complex injuries. Each procedure is customized, depending on the patient’s needs.
The procedures will be performed under anesthesia to make sure that you are comfortable during the procedure. Postoperative pain is managed with pain medication. There may be some swelling and discomfort after the procedure, but it is manageable with medication and following the oral surgeon’s aftercare instructions.
The recovery process depends on the type of treatment and the complexity of the surgery. The initial healing will usually happen within a few weeks, but for full recovery, it can take a few months especially if the procedure is severe or complex. It’s important to attend the follow-up appointments so the oral surgeon can monitor the recovery process and make any adjustments if needed.
The oral surgeon will make sure to do their best to minimize scarring by using specific techniques and careful suturing to make incisions in the natural skin folds if possible. Depending on the procedure, some scarring may be inevitable in cases with severe trauma. The scars can become less noticeable over time and can be reassessed with cosmetic treatments if needed.
This will depend on the location and the severity of the injury, in some cases it is possible for some temporary or permanent changes in facial sensation or movement. The oral surgeon will be sure to preserve the nerves and function of the face during the procedure, but in some cases severe damage to the nerve can be inevitable. The oral surgeon will be sure to go over any rehabilitation therapies that can help with the recovery process.
Depending on the severity and the type of procedure performed, postoperative care can include pain management, antibiotics, dietary recommendations, and instructions on how to care for the surgery site. Make sure that you attend the follow-up appointments to make sure that the oral surgeon can address any issues and ensure proper healing.
The preparation process can include following the oral surgeon’s instructions in regard to, medications, arranging transportation after the procedure, and planning for enough rest for the recovery time. You may also be asked to fast before the procedure due to the anesthesia.
The results of facial trauma surgery are usually a long-lasting choice. The main goal is to make sure that there is sufficient function and an aesthetically pleasing look. However, in some cases, additional surgeries or treatments may be required, specifically for severe or complex treatment plans.
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