Traumatic Injuries

Dentoalveolar Injuries refer to injuries involving the teeth and the bone surrounding the teeth. These injuries can include teeth that have been dislodged with or without a segment of the surrounding bone, or an avulsion, which means that a tooth has been completely “knocked out” of its socket. Treatment of these injuries requires they be treated without delay to reposition and stabilize the involved teeth and/or bone in the correct anatomical positions.

While the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon can provide the initial treatment for this type of a traumatic injury, the involved teeth should be followed and assessed by the general dentist or the endodontist for any long-term effects to the teeth, the surrounding bone, or the occlusion, as well as to perform any necessary procedures to restore these teeth.

Fractures of the upper or lower jaws, fractures to the orbit of the eye, the cheekbone, and nasal fractures are common facial injuries involving the bones of the face that are treated by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Facial bone fractures are treated in much the same way as fractures of other parts of the body. The goals are to restore alignment, achieve bony union, prevent any infections from developing, reestablish function, and to maintain normal facial appearance. Treatment considerations for facial fractures may include the health and age of the patient, the location of the injury, as well as the degree of severity of the fracture and the associated damage.

While the bones in the face cannot be put in a cast like the treatment of limb fractures, other methods of stabilization are employed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon to allow effective and complete healing of the involved bones. Certain jaw fractures may require a surgical procedure and stabilization. This may involve the placement of small plates and screws at the affected site, or the temporary wiring of the jaws together.