Oral and facial injuries can be caused by falls, sports injuries, work-related accidents, altercations, and other incidents. We will take
3D scans of your head, neck, and mouth to assess the injuries and determine the right treatment for your situation. If oral surgery is necessary, we will discuss your options for
anesthesia or sedation prior to surgery so that you can remain at ease and comfortable.
There are several types of facial trauma injuries. Treatment for each injury is different and in some cases, your oral surgeon will work with your orthodontist or general dentist to restore your smile.
Oral surgeons treat facial cuts using sutures or stitches. Your surgeon will be careful to minimize scarring while also looking out for damage to important facial structures such as nerves or glands. If the cuts are inside the mouth, dissolvable sutures will be used, which do not require you to return to the office to have them removed.
Facial bone injuries are unlike other broken bones because a cast cannot be placed over the face. The broken portion is stabilized in position while it heals back together. Rather than using a cast, oral surgeons use small biocompatible screws and plates to secure facial bones in place. These fixtures usually do not need to be removed, because they are made of materials that naturally bond with your bone.
A general dentist can treat some dental injuries, but when teeth are knocked out or displaced and the tooth socket is damaged, an oral surgeon is needed. If your tooth is seriously damaged or knocked out, come to our office as soon as possible. Do not clean off the tooth, because doing so can damage important tissues. Instead, try to preserve the tooth in saliva or a container of whole milk and bring it to the office. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
If you experience a facial injury, our staff will see you as soon as possible. Usually, we will make space in the schedule to see you the day you call. Make sure you seek emergency treatment at a hospital if your injuries are very serious. Our oral surgeons also have staff privileges at Tucson Medical Center, where they can provide treatment for more serious facial and dental injuries.