You might know incidents like assault and road accidents often lead to facial trauma. 76.4 million fractures of different types were reported in 2019 alone. Out of that, 10.7 million cases were facial fractures; however, they remain neglected by the majority.
An injury to the face not only causes pain but could also result in a disfigured appearance and loss of function. Such cases are often presented to dentists and maxillofacial surgeons for successful restorative surgery.
If you or someone you know was a victim of facial injury, you are at the right place. This blog will cover what is facial trauma, its different types, and its treatment.
Any damage to the bone or soft tissue of the face is known as facial trauma. Alternatively, it is also termed maxillofacial trauma or LeFort traumatic. Causes of the trauma could be:
The face is a very sensitive area. It contains a number of bones, many vessels, and nerves that originate directly from the brain. Therefore, trauma to any of the nerves and vessels can lead to loss of function. Broken bones could lead to facial disfigurement as well.
Different injuries on the face affect different parts. Some only cause bruises and scratches, some result in broken bones. While others can cause distorted appearances and even facial nerve impairment. Around 33.8% of all facial fractures are caused by road crash accidents. These are the types of injuries related to the face:
Soft tissue trauma to the face includes:
Severe facial trauma and fractures can cause unprecedented conditions such as impaired nerves, loss of facial functions, distortion of the facial structure, and so on. It can also lead to the leakage of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) surrounding the brain.
Succedaneous (permanent) teeth will need restorative dental surgery if they are broken or cracked.
Eye socket fracture includes:
Eye socket fracture includes:
Midface bone facial trauma includes:
A traumatic dental injury could either be a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) fracture or a jaw broken as well. It can hinder the patient’s ability to speak, chew, swallow, and eat.
The bones of the nose can break, causing breathing issues.
Many complications arise with facial fractures:
Healthcare professionals in the field of dentistry are specially trained to diagnose facial fractures. Your healthcare professional will examine you by:
After physical inspection, an imaging test is done to pinpoint facial fractures and distinguish them from other issues like dislocation. The imaging test most widely used for the diagnosis of facial trauma is the Computed Tomography (CT) scan.
Facial fractures and soft tissue trauma need special and immediate treatment. In general, the main goals of treatment of facial injuries are:
Soft tissue facial injuries consist of torn or crushed facial skin, nerves, glands, and muscles of the face. In order to treat these injuries, microvascular reconstructive surgery is conducted. Nerve connections and blood supply are rewired, and any torn or cut areas are repaired.
The surgical treatment of broken facial bones involves:
Facial trauma can be a life-altering experience. Aside from immense pain and other physical issues, the patients suffer from emotional trauma as well. However, when the restorative practices go as planned, it relieves one from both physical and emotional pain.
If you or your loved one are in search of the best dentists in Paramus, you’re at the right place. Our expert facial trauma specialist in Paramus and their team work together to perform excellent restorative procedures. Book an appointment now to choose the best option. We’ll help you attain your perfect smile again to ease your worries once and for all!