Maxillofacial trauma is also known as facial trauma. It is an injury or trauma to the face caused mainly by sporting injuries, fights, falls, or motor vehicle accidents. It may result in broken bones on the cheekbones, the nose, or the jaw.

 

Is Maxillofacial Trauma a Serious Condition?

If you suffer any facial trauma, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may be minor. However, if you have complex fractures, you may be at risk of irreversible damage that might be life-threatening.
 

Your face is located close to the central nervous system and the brain. Also, muscles and nerves responsible for expressions, sensations, and eye movements are close to the bones in your face. Therefore, any damage to your face may have severe consequences and may cause you to be mentally, physically, and visually impaired.
 

Typically, facial trauma is severe and should be addressed immediately to avoid further damage.

 

Diagnosis of Maxillofacial Trauma

First of all, your doctor has to understand how and when the trauma occurred. After that, a physical examination is done to check if there are any serious injuries. Your doctor has to check if there are any mobility difficulties and if there are any fractures on your face that could damage your central nervous system.
 

If your doctor suspects you have any fractures, they may request a computer tomography to determine the fracture’s location, type, and severity. In some cases, an X-ray is usually enough to check for any fractures and damages.
 

Some of the symptoms that may indicate you have a facial trauma include:
 

• Nose bleeding
   

• Blurred or double vision
   

• Bulging eyeballs
   

• Missing teeth
   

• Difficulty in breathing
   

• Facial numbness
   

• Swelling
   

• Trouble chewing
   

• Blockage of the nostrils
   

• Cheek flatness

Management of Maxillofacial Trauma

There is no specific way to prevent facial trauma. But, you can avoid getting injured by taking various precautions. You should always have a seat belt and protective gear when driving or playing sports. Also, be sure to follow safety guidelines while at work or when doing risky activities.
 

If you get facial trauma, your doctor may prescribe pain medications to ease the swelling and pain. You may also be given antibiotics to reduce the risk of getting infections.
 

However, the ultimate treatment is either a closed reduction or an open reduction. The closed reduction involves resetting or fixing the broken bones without surgery. The open reduction requires you to undergo surgery that involves an incision to reposition the broken bones. If you have severe or complex fractures, you may need to undergo reconstructive surgery.
 

The primary function of this treatment is to restore the facial appearance. For severe conditions such as cardiovascular problems, brain injuries, or airways blockage, you need to get immediate treatment to avoid further problems.
 

Therefore, your doctor can treat facial trauma, but only if you seek immediate medical attention. You may not know that you have serious injuries or fractures after you experience an injury or trauma. Thus, it is crucial to visit a doctor to assess the severity of the damage and the type of fractures caused.

For more information on maxillofacial trauma, do not hesitate to contact Hawaii Oral Surgery in Aiea and Honolulu, Hawaii. You can also contact us at (808) 731-2220 to book an appointment.