Face and Jaw Fracture Oral Surgery Treatment

The term jaw fracture often refers to a break of the lower jaw (mandible). Fractures of the upper jaw (part of the bone called the maxilla) are sometimes called jaw fractures but are usually considered facial fractures.

The mandible is most often broken due to blunt trauma, such as being punched or hit with a baseball bat or other object.

Fractures of the maxilla can occur when the front of the face smashes against an immovable object, resulting in a fall from a height or a motor vehicle crash. Some are caused by being hit by a blunt object such as a fist or weapon. Some jaw fractures break only a tooth socket.

We offer surgical treatment for those who need tooth removal, replacement of teeth with dental implants, correction of their bites and facial cosmetic surgery. Top services: dental implants, TMJ (jaw joint) treatment, wisdom teeth removal, extractions, bone grafts and cleft lip and palate treatment.

Self-care at home for a broken jaw

If there is any question that an individual may have a broken jaw, they need to follow up with a doctor or a dentist specializing in oral surgery.

The patient should apply ice to the jaw to help control the swelling on the way to be seen by the doctor. Sometimes patients will need a paper cup to catch the drool or to spit blood into on the trip to the doctor or emergency department. If other injuries are present, if bleeding is brisk or if swelling or other problems may compromise breathing, call 108 (Gujarat Circle only) for emergent transport.

Types of Facial Fractures

There are many causes of facial fractures, including motor vehicle accidents, interpersonal trauma, accidents, or work-related or sports-related activities. Patients are often seen in the emergency room for initial evaluation. In the early management period, life-threatening issues are addressed first, and facial fracture repairs are only attempted after a patient is stabilized.

Almost all patients receive a fine-cut computed tomography (CT) scan to evaluate the skeletal trauma. Sometimes a panorex or dental x-ray is obtained if a jaw fracture is suspected.

Orbital fractures

Orbital fractures can be isolated or occur with a more extensive facial injury. These fractures are often a result of direct trauma from the front, such as trauma from a fist or a ball.

Common symptoms include the following:

1. 1. Swelling and bruising around the eye
   2. Visual blurriness or seeing double
   3. Numbness of the cheek just below the affected eye
   4. Sunken appearance to the eyeball

Not all orbital fractures need surgical intervention. Your surgeon is more likely to recommend surgery if 1) your vision is compromised or 2) the eyeball has sagged into the socket, causing a sunken appearance (which may not be obvious initially because of swelling).

Repairs usually occur approximately 1-2 weeks after the injury because swelling will have reduced by then. Incisions vary but can be placed just inside the eyelid to be hidden. The fracture is reduced or shifted back into its normal position as best as possible, and the broken bones are often supported with a titanium plate or other similar material.

Nasoethmoid complex fractures

As with other facial fractures, nasoethmoid complex fractures, or fractures of the sinus bones between the eyes, can occur with other facial injuries. These fractures are usually the result of high-velocity trauma.

1. 1. Common symptoms include:
   2. Severe orbital swelling
   3. Bruising around the eyes
   4. The appearance of widening around the eyes

Due to the proximity of the ethmoid sinuses to the skull base, sometimes patients can have leakage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord with these injuries. If that is the case, often, a neurosurgical consultation is needed.

Surgical repair is conducted to re-approximate the proper distance between the eyes. It can involve plating and wiring of the fractured bones.

Maxillary fractures

Maxillary fractures are fractures that involve the mid-face. They are usually the result of high-speed trauma, i.e. motor vehicle accidents.

Common symptoms include:

1. 1. Change in dental occlusion or teeth not fitting together properly
   2. Visual problems
   3. Clear watery fluid draining from the nose

The goal of surgery for maxillary fractures is to restore the facial skeleton’s normal contour and ensure that a patient’s jaw or bite functions as normally as possible. Many techniques can be used to access the fractures and may include incisions through the mouth or gums or, in more extensive fractures, incisions in the hairline. Once fractured bones are moved back into place and stabilized, plates and screws can be utilized to keep the bones from moving again.

Mandible fractures

Mandible, or jawbone, fractures are the second most common fracture in facial trauma (the most common being broken noses). Often the jaw is fractured in not just one but two places.

Common symptoms include:

1. 1. Jaw pain and tenderness
   2. Inability to bring teeth together properly
   3. Bruising underneath the tongue
   4. Numbness of the chin

The ideal time to repair jaw fractures is 7-10 days after the injury. Sometimes your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you to take before surgery if the fracture extends to the inside of the mouth.

Treatment options depend on the individual and the extent of the fracture. The goal of surgery is to re-approximate the teeth to the pre-injury position. It may involve maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), which fixes the upper teeth to the lower teeth for an extended period while the fracture heals. Patients must maintain a diet of liquids only during this time. Other options include open rigid fixation, which involves stabilizing the fracture with titanium plates and screws. The incisions can be made either through the mouth or hidden in a jaw or neck crease.

After surgery, your doctor will likely place you on an antibiotic and an oral rinse. You will also need to maintain a soft diet while the fracture heals.