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.
