Facial Trauma

Facial trauma incidents require immediate care and our surgeons provide urgent care and manage cases throughout recovery. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we are experts at repairing facial structures and ensuring our patients can achieve proper oral function and aesthetically pleasing results following a facial injury.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room. There is an oral surgeon on call who will administer care.

At Golden Foothills Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery, we manage facial trauma cases using the latest CBCT technology and surgical equipment. Dr. Liberty understands that traumatic events can be stressful, and our team is here to provide support and guidance throughout the treatment process. Our surgeons are staffed at local hospitals and respond to facial trauma incidents in the emergency room. We then treat patients at our office for follow-up visits, additional surgical procedures, and further imaging.

If you have experienced facial trauma and it is not life-threatening, contact us in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, or Auburn, CA, to schedule an appointment. In many cases, we can see you the same day or the following day for an oral or facial injury.

Types of Facial Injuries

An injury to the head or face can happen at any time—during sports, at work, in a car, or at home. Not all facial trauma cases are life-threatening, but still require attention from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. There are different types of facial injuries that we can treat, including:

• Fractured facial bones, such as the cheek, nose, chin, or eye socket
• Fractured jaws
• Facial lacerations
• Cuts inside the mouth
• Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth

If you get hurt but don’t know if you need immediate care from an oral surgeon, contact our office and we will determine if you should be seen right away.

How Is Facial Trauma Treated?

Facial trauma is unique in nature and your treatment will be determined by your specific needs. Our offices are equipped with advanced CBCT scanning equipment, which allows our surgeons to view detailed images of your bone and soft tissue structures. These images create detailed surgical guides and are used to monitor progress throughout recovery.

Soft Tissue Injuries

To treat soft tissue injuries, such as cuts, we will place sutures. We use extra caution to avoid facial nerves and salivary glands and use dissolvable sutures if the laceration is inside the mouth. Sutures are strategically placed to produce aesthetically pleasing results and minimal visible scarring.

Broken/Fractured Facial Bones

For bone fractures or broken facial bones, we cannot place a cast around the face like you would use to treat a broken arm or leg. Instead, we perform surgery to the affected area and use plates or screws to reposition and stabilize the bone. This method, called rigid fixation, often eliminates the need to wire the jaws together and allows you to resume normal function much faster. Incisions are made within the mouth to produce no visible scarring. If necessary, your surgeon will make small incisions outside of the mouth that will be hidden whenever possible.

Knocked-Out Teeth

If your tooth gets knocked out, contact our oral surgery office immediately. We will see you as soon as possible and attempt to replant the tooth. We will walk you through the steps to take until you arrive at our office. Remember not to handle the tooth by the roots, only the crown, and place the tooth in a container of whole milk or saliva. Do not wipe anything off of the tooth, even dirt. Every measure is made to reattach your tooth, but if the tooth cannot be repaired, we can talk about your replacement options, such as a dental implant.

Facial Trauma Treatment in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Auburn, CA

Our team at Golden Foothills Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery are experts in managing facial trauma cases. We always keep your health, safety, and comfort as top priorities throughout the treatment process. If you have experienced an injury to the mouth or face, contact us today for an appointment with one of our oral surgeons. We have offices in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Auburn, CA, to serve our patients.