Oral surgeons receive years of hands-on training and experience in hospital and emergency room environments. This hospital-based experience gives surgeons the tools they need to repair facial injuries of all kinds, including facial fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries. Dr. Robert Wood, Dr. Nicholas Coles, and Dr. Negin Saghafi at Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are experts at repairing facial fractures, cuts, dental injuries, and more. In fact, both of our doctors are also on staff at Tucson Medical Center, where they help treat facial injuries.
Our staff recognizes that facial trauma can be very physically and emotionally stressful, and we will do our best to make you feel comfortable and prepared throughout your treatment. Oral surgeons understand how to preserve long-term function and facial aesthetics when repairing a facial cut or bone injury. Most of the time it’s impossible to know when a facial injury will happen, but if you or a family member experiences a facial trauma, we hope the information below helps you feel more informed and prepared.
Treating Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma
Oral and facial injuries can be caused by falls, sports injuries, work-related accidents, altercations and other incidents. Your surgeon will evaluate your condition to determine the best course of treatment for your situation.
- Facial cuts. Oral surgeons usually 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.
- Bone injuries/fractures. Facial bone injuries are treated like other broken bones — the broken portion is stabilized in position while it heals back together. Rather than using a cast (which isn’t possible for facial bones), oral surgeons use small biocompatible screws and plates to secure facial bones in their proper positions. These fixtures usually do not need to be removed, because they are made of materials that naturally bond with your bone.
- Dental injuries. Your dentist can treat some dental injuries, but when teeth are knocked out or displaced and the tooth socket is damaged, an oral surgeon may be necessary. 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 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.
Facial Injury Treatment in Tucson, AZ, and Oro Valley, AZ
When you experience a facial injury, it’s important to see a specialist. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons understand how to treat injuries while preserving your appearance and long-term functional abilities. If you are in serious pain after a facial injury, we will make time to see you as soon as possible. Contact one of our offices in Tucson, AZ, or Oro Valley, AZ, to learn more or schedule an appointment.
