Facial Trauma Surgery

Facial Trauma Surgery

Facial (Maxillofacial) Trauma:

Maxillofacial injuries include injury to the forehead, eye socket, cheekbone, jaw, or mouth.  They may result in life-threatening complications and significant cosmetic or functional problems, such as abnormalities in chewing, swallowing, breathing, smelling, and vision. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are trained to manage and treat all aspects of facial trauma.  As dentist and medical professionals we provide the optimal skillset for facial and dental reconstruction. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are the true experts in managing trauma to the facial skeleton.  Dr. Arango is trained in the emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation of these traumatic injuries.

Dr. Arango is a dual licensed physician and dentist who has undergone extensive training to specialize in the treatment of facial trauma. He is on call at local hospitals in the DFW area to deliver emergency room treatment of facial injuries. These injuries include but are not limited to:

• Fractured facial bones (orbit, nose, cheek bones)
• Fractured jaws (upper and lower)
• Avulsed teeth
• Lacerations of the face and of the oral cavity

Causes of Maxillofacial Trauma

Sports, accidental falls, motor vehicle accidents, assault and work-related accidents account for the majority of maxillofacial injuries, such as injuries to the bones of the face, soft tissues of the face/oral cavity and damage to teeth.

Fractures of the Face:

Fractures of the face are treated in a similar manner to fractures in other parts of body.  The basic principles are followed: reduction and fixation of the bony segments to immobilize segments at the fractures site. This is accomplished by surgical placement of plates and screws. Dr. Arango rarely wires the jaws together. When the mandible and/or maxilla are involved, the pre-operative bite must be restored.

The patient’s facial appearance should be minimally altered and fractures should be treated with as few surgical incisions as possible to prevent scarring.  Dr. Arango uses minimally invasive techniques with intra-operative CT scans to treat fractures of the eye sockets and cheek bones to ensure an ideal reconstruction.

Lacerations of the Face:

When a laceration to the face has occurred, repair by suturing is performed to minimize scarring.  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialized to the face and oral cavity and are the leaders in treating injuries to these areas.  Dr. Arango will repair lacerations to provide the most cosmetic result.

Goals of Facial Trauma Surgery

• Protection and/or establishment of an adequate airway
• Control of hemorrhage
• Restoration of premorbid form and function
• Preservation of tissue
• Limited period of disability
• Limited psychological morbidity
• Uncomplicated healing and avoidance of infection
• Appropriate understanding by patient (family) of treatment options and treatment plan
• Appropriate understanding and acceptance by patient (family) of favorable outcomes and known risks and complications
• Avoidance of secondary deformities
• Optimized aesthetic result