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.
