Facial Trauma

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are on call in nearly every emergency and trauma center in the state. They step in where few other doctors specialize, facial reconstruction. In fact, most major trauma centers have oral and maxillofacial surgeons on call as in integral part of a trauma team to repair the facial and dental damage caused by car accidents, gunshot wounds, explosions, machinery accidents and tragedies. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are indeed pioneers in trauma surgery. Many emergency surgical techniques were first developed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons serving at hospitals in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Trauma of the oral and facial region is a vital part of the doctors training and is required to successfully complete an Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. Besides the traumas mentioned above, oral and facial surgeons are also uniquely qualified to cover all types of facial injuries, ranging from injuries to the teeth, bones of the face, or lacerations. These injuries are either soft-tissue injuries, such as those to the skin and gums, or bony injuries, such as fractures.

Facial injuries are now in the hands of these specialists, who can render the proper treatment through specialized emergency care and reconstruction of the patient’s face. Treating these injuries will often influence the patient’s long-term appearance and function, so the highest level of expertise needed is indeed provided by the oral and facial surgeon.