Facial Trauma

Recover After Facial Trauma

Patients experience facial injuries of all types, from minor cuts to severe facial fractures. In the event of facial trauma, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is highly experienced and qualified to correct the problem with the best long-term results. It’s important to have a facial injury treated as soon as possible to ensure no permanent damage to your appearance and oral function. Dr. Michael Lewis, Dr. Ryan Lloyd, and Dr. Andre LaMothe are experts in the evaluation and treatment of trauma injuries and see patients at our offices in Monterey, Salinas, and Santa Cruz, CA.

At MOSA Oral Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery, we do our best to see patients the day that they call with an emergency. Our team understands that a facial injury can be both physically and emotionally traumatic, which is why we strive always to treat our patients with compassion. We want every patient to have the most positive experience possible so that they leave our office with a smile on their face. If you have suffered a facial injury, please contact one of our offices right away.

Types of Facial Trauma

Oral surgeons go through years of hospital-based training to treat various forms of facial trauma. We treat many types of facial injuries, and the degree of the injuries will determine the type of procedure we will recommend. Some of the most common facial trauma injuries include:

Dental injuries. When patients experience surface damage to their teeth, a dentist will more than likely repair it. But, if the dental injury extends into the root of the tooth, or if the tooth has been completely knocked out, an oral surgeon is best equipped to treat the issue. Sometimes, our doctors can place the knocked-out tooth back into the socket. In cases where the tooth is beyond saving, we offer a variety of tooth replacement options to restore oral function, such as dental implants.

Facial cuts and lacerations. There are various causes of cuts and lacerations on the face or inside the mouth. In most situations, sutures are a quick and easy fix for facial cuts and lacerations. Our oral surgeons are highly trained and place sutures within the mouth whenever possible to reduce visible scarring.

Bone fractures. Some of the most common oral bone injuries are fractured jaws and damaged cheekbones and eye sockets. Facial bone injuries are unique compared to other bone traumas throughout the body because they cannot be set with a cast for the recovery period. Instead, our doctors must take extra care while performing oral surgery and must stabilize the bone using either screws, plates, or wires. These devices will help keep the facial bones in their proper position, much like a cast does after a doctor has reset a broken bone in another part of the body.