A broken bone in the face is known as a facial fracture. The face comprises a complex bone structure consisting of forehead bone (frontal), cheekbones (zygomas), eye sockets (orbital bones), upper jaw (maxillary bones), lower jaw (mandible), and nasal bones.

Various other bones are found within the deep facial structure, and muscles that enable chewing, talking, and swallowing are linked to these bones.

Broken nose (nasal fractures) are the most commonly occurring facial fractures. Other facial bones may also undergo fractures. There may be a single fracture or multiple broken bones. High impact accidents such as car crashes can cause multiple fractures. Fractures may occur on one side of the face (unilateral) or both sides of the face (bilateral).

Some facial fractures are comparatively minor while others may lead to permanent damage, and even be a threat to life itself.

Therefore, seeking an accurate diagnosis and treatment before the occurrence of serious complications is crucial. Cordial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides treatments for facial trauma to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations across the horizon.

 

Facial Fracture Treatment

To ease the inflammation, a physician may prescribe medications for pain management and oral steroids. If the risk of infection is high, the physician may prescribe antibiotics.

The treatment for fractures generally involves resetting the broken bone(s) without surgery (closed reduction) or surgery that requires the placement of an incision to reposition fractured bones (open reduction). Complex multiple fractures require reconstructive surgery.

The treatment for facial fractures depends on the extent and location of the injury and aims to restore normal appearance and function to the damaged areas.

 

Type of Facial Fractures

Some of the common types of facial fractures are as follows:

Broken Nose (Nasal Bones)

The most common type of facial fracture is the broken nose which causes the nose to appear deformed and feels painful to the touch following the fracture.

 

Forehead (Frontal Bone) Fractures

The frontal bone is the primary bone in the forehead region. High-impact injuries to the head can lead to a fracture in the floor of the sinuses and frontal bone.

 

Broken Cheekbone/Upper Jaw

The cheekbones (zygomas) are connected at many areas of the maxilla (upper jaw) and skull bones. Cheekbone fractures may also involve breaks in the surrounding facial bones.

 

Le Fort (Mid-Face) Fractures

These fractures occur due to blunt force trauma and cause fractures along the lines of weakness in the mid-face region.

 

Lower Jaw (Mandible)

The mandible controls lower teeth placement and moves when a person speaks or chews. Lower jaw fractures impact the sections of the lower jaw that supports teeth (known as the body).

 

Orbital Rim Fracture

The thickest part of the eye socket is known as the outer rim. This bone requires substantial force to break. This fracture may occur along with various other injuries such as damage to the optic nerve.

 

Blowout Fractures

The orbital rim’s integrity remains intact in this fracture. However, a crack develops at the eye socket’s lower part.

Committed surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other cities and towns in The Heart of Dixie for facial trauma treatments.

 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Isolated teeth injuries occur commonly and require the expertise of multiple dental specialists. Typically, Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are typically involved in treating supporting bone fractures or replanting displaced or “knocked out” teeth.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons have extensive expertise and training in the specialty area of dental and facial trauma care, which is highly beneficial for patients.

Judicious oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides treatments for facial and oral injuries to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities in the spectacular Yellowhammer State.

 

Treatments

The treatment of facial and dental injuries involves various forms of splinting (stabilizing using wires or bonding teeth together). A “knocked out” tooth should be preserved in milk or salt water. For the better survival of the tooth, it should be replaced into the dental socket at the earliest.

It is important for the patient to consult a dentist, or ideally, an oral surgeon as soon as possible. Do not try to “wipe the tooth off,” as the remaining parts of the ligament which holds the tooth within the jaw are connected and are important for the survival of the replanted tooth.

To treat the injury, other dental experts such as endodontists (for the root canal therapy) and/or restorative dentists (for the repair and rebuilding of broken teeth) may be engaged. Dental implants may be used to replace missing teeth if the injured teeth cannot be repaired or saved.

The quick and correct treatment of facial injuries is crucial and should ideally be managed by surgical experts who have extensive training and experience in emergency care and long-term reconstruction and rehab of the patient.

 

Oral Surgery – FAQ

What is the time taken for the surgery?

The time taken for the surgery depends on the treatment. Some surgical procedures take under 30 minutes, while others are more extended.

 

Will there be inflammation or facial bruising?

The patient may experience some pain and swelling after the tooth extraction. Using an ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas on the area can minimize the swelling. The patient should take the prescription pain meds as directed.

The inflammation typically reduces after 48 hours. There may be some minor bruising with certain treatments. But procedures such as the placement of dental implants typically do not cause bruising.

 

Do I need to avoid specific drugs?

During the pre-operative consultation at Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry, the patient should openly reveal all medications that they take. Most meds including Aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, and other blood thinners can be continued.

 

Pre-Surgery Guidelines

The patient should follow the below mentioned guidelines before an oral surgery:

• Consume a light meal on the night prior to the procedure
• Not drink or eat anything on the day of the appointment if the procedure involves sedation
• Wear loose-fitting clothing with short-sleeves
• Arrange for an attendant to accompany them to the office as well as drive them back home
• The patient cannot drive a car on the day of the surgery in case sedation is involved

Devoted oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for facial and oral injury treatments.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Facial fractures refer to fractures of the mouth and face, including fractures of the cheekbones (zygoma), nose (nasal), and upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jaws.

The oral and maxillofacial team will assess patients of facial fracture to ensure that they don’t have other injuries to the head or neck if they have been knocked unconscious.

Accomplished oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides treatments for facial and oral injuries to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

What leads to facial fractures?

Facial fractures are typically sudden (acute) or due to assaults (such as fighting), sports (such as football), and accidents (such as car crashes). In rare cases, a fracture may result from another treatment due to the bones being weakened by issues such as dental cysts.

 

How will I know if I have a facial fracture?

For people who have suffered sharp or blunt trauma to their face, doctor(s) or dentist(s) will want to check for signs of facial or other fractures. They will carefully assess the patient for inflammation, pain, and changes in mobility, and order x-rays for the patient as well.

While most fractures show up clearly as dark lines on the jaw, head, face, and dental x-rays, certain hairline (small fractures) are more challenging to identify and may need further x-rays and follow-ups.

 

What are the treatments for facial fracture?

The facial fracture treatment will depend on the extent and type of the fracture and any other issues that the patient may have at the time.

Doctors typically seek to bring the fractured bones back into a normal alignment, known as ‘reducing’ the fracture. They want to keep the fracture in this position, known as ‘fixing’ the fracture, to prevent further injury.

Some patients may require surgery and at times, surgeons may use screws, wires, or plates inside or outside the bones to hold the broken bones in their position. For more information on your fracture and its treatment, consult your oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

 

How long do facial fractures take to heal?

The extent and type of the facial fracture and the other issues a patient had at the time of the treatment will determine the healing period. Inflammation and bruising typically subside within two to three weeks.

 

What are plates used in facial fracture treatment?

Plates used in the repair of facial fracture comprise titanium. These plates hold together and provide strength to the bones of the skull (head), face, and/or jaws.

 

Will I have to have the plates removed?

Plates for fracture repair are designed to stay in place with the bone permanently. In rare cases, these plates may need to be taken out, for instance, if there is discomfort or infection.

 

What activities should I avoid for the next few weeks following a facial fracture?

Patients of facial fracture will be advised by their oral and maxillofacial team to avoid bumps or knocks to the site of the fracture for a minimum of six to eight weeks as ‘impacts’ on the fractured areas may cause the affected bones to move.

Experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas in The Heart of Dixie for facial and oral injury treatments.  

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.