Ever faced a situation when a loved one had a facial injury, and you were unsure where to seek treatment?
You are not the only one. Not many people are aware that facial trauma treatment requires the specialized skills of a maxillofacial surgeon. People with facial injuries often mistakenly believe that they need to be treated by a plastic surgeon. They are unaware that only maxillofacial surgeons are exclusively trained to treat facial injuries.
It is a fact that most hospitals do not have skilled maxillofacial surgeons to treat facial injuries. This often leads to a situation where the patient gets treated by other specialists like plastic surgeons and later has to face issues like difficulty opening the mouth, non-alignment of teeth, or an unbalanced facial profile.
This article highlights the importance of a maxillofacial surgeon’s specialized skills in treating facial trauma.
The Role of Maxillofacial Surgeons in Facial Trauma Surgery
It is crucial for patients with facial trauma to ask for a maxillofacial surgeon to ensure successful treatment. Maxillofacial surgeons have the expertise to handle moderately invasive procedures to treat injuries in the face and neck and align displaced jaw bones to their right position, thus relieving pain and improving jaw function. They are well-trained to administer anesthesia, local or general, according to specific patient needs.
Common Procedures in Facial Trauma Surgery
Facial injuries to the face and neck can make eating, speaking, chewing, and daily life difficult. Facial trauma surgery helps by fixing jaw joint issues and treating gum and jawbone damage.
Let us now explore the standard procedures that are done for facial injury rehabilitation:
- Open reduction and internal maxillary fixation This is the procedure performed when the fracture is severe. It is done for eye socket fracture, nasal bone fracture, and upper and lower jaw fractures. The maxillofacial surgeon first identifies the fractured site precisely with a CT scan. Then, the fracture area is opened, and the affected bones are brought to a normal position. The bones are then fixed into place with fine titanium plates and screws. Recovery is fast in an open reduction, and the patient can eat or talk after 4 hours of the procedure. The process does not cause any external scars, and the swelling is reduced significantly.
- Sutures for facial cuts or injuries In the case of facial cuts or injuries related to lips, chin, or jaws, the surgeon cleans the wound first, and sutures are placed to hold the tissues together. The patient recovers fully two days after the treatment.
- Closed reduction In rare cases involving minor fractures, closed reduction is done, which does not involve surgical exposure to the fracture site. The procedure involves jaw binding, and recovery is longer compared to open reduction.
- Medication For very minor facial cuts and wounds, the maxillofacial surgeon will only prescribe medicines to reduce the pain or swelling.
Facial Trauma surgery patients
This procedure is required when people suffer facial injuries or trauma like broken jaw bones or cuts that can impact facial appearance significantly and cause difficulties in performing normal functions like speaking or chewing food. In certain cases, it can even affect a person’s breathing. Facial trauma surgery repairs the damaged tissues and realigns the bones back to their original position, improving the functionality of the facial organs while also improving the facial profile.
Conclusion
For individuals suffering facial injuries, it is advisable to search for hospitals with an experienced team of maxillofacial surgeons for the best possible treatment.
At Gnathos Facial, we have a team of experienced maxillofacial surgeons with state-of-the-art facilities to treat all facial injuries and ensure the restoration of form and function for your face. Through maxillofacial procedures, we even correct the alignment of the jaw and teeth, restoring functions like eating or chewing and balancing the facial profile.
Each surgery performed by our experienced maxillofacial surgeons tells a story of strength and starting anew. Facial surgery goes beyond restoring functionality and aesthetics; it gives people the confidence and dignity to live fully again.