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Maxillofacial Trauma

Maxillofacial Trauma refers to any injury to the face or jaw caused by physical force or foreign objects

Any part of the face may be affected. Teeth may be knocked out or loosened. Bones of the face that are commonly involved are the lower jaw bone, upper jaw bone and the cheek bone. The eyes and their muscles, nerves and blood vessels may be injured as well as the eye socket (orbit), which can be fractured by a forceful blow. A fractured nose or jaw may affect the ability to breathe or eat. Any Maxillofacial Trauma may also prevent the passage of air or be severed enough to cause a concussion or more serious brain injury.

These injuries require thorough investigation which usually involves special X-Rays or CT scans.

Some fractures require immediate treatment whilst with others we wait until the swelling and bruising has subsided prior to operation.

Most operations involve the use of titanium plates and screws to fix the fractured boned together. It is extremely rare these days to even consider the very old fashioned technique of ” wiring the jaws together”.

Facial Fracture treatment generally requires a hospital admission of a day or two.