Facial Trauma

Facial trauma consists of injuries to the facial area. These include:

facial lacerations
intra oral lacerations
avulsed (knocked out) teeth
fractured facial bones (cheek, nose or eye socket)
fractured jaws (upper and lower)

Causes of facial trauma

The most obvious causes of facial trauma are:

motor vehicle accidents
falls
sports injuries
violence; and
work related injuries.

Symptoms of facial trauma

Here we have listed some symptoms often associated with facial trauma:

bad bite or malocclusion
difficulty breathing through the nose due to swelling and bleeding
changes in sensations and feeling in the face
facial swelling
double vision
missing teeth; and
cuts and bruises.

If you have suffered an injury to the face you should always seek medical attention either from you local GP who may refer you to see one of our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or the emergency department at your local hospital.

How is facial trauma repaired?

First you will be examined to determine what types of facial trauma you have received. Some of the signs to look for are:

lacerations
bruising around the eyes
widening of the distance between the eyes
abnormal movement of the jaw when the head is stabilised; and
abnormal sensations on the cheeks and irregularities.

Facial trauma is repaired in many different ways, depending on the type of trauma. Initially you will be required to have an examination by your surgeon and undergo x-rays. Following discussion between you and your surgeon, suitable treatment will follow. Some ways of repairing trauma to the face are:

jaw wiring
placements of "plates and screws" for fractured jaws
"replanting" of knocked out teeth
suturing (stitches) of the lacerations (open wounds); and
more major surgery for extreme injuries.

If you require major surgery, jaw wiring or the placement of "plates and screws" for fractured jaws it will be necessary to have this performed under a General Anesthetic at one of the major hospitals. For more minor injuries you will be seen here at the Canberra Surgicentre.

For more information on jaw surgery please see our Corrective Jaw Surgery page.