Have you ever noticed that one of our first reactions to a potential injury is the instant attempt to defend our face and head?
When somebody throws a punch or if we get into a car collision, our arms and hands travel up to our face in order to try to protect ourselves from any severe injury. Most of the time, we don't even think about the action of covering up our face--we just do this immediately.
Maxillofacial trauma is injuries that are in danger of being easily disregarded, and this oversight can cause harmful difficulties and irritation in the future if they are not managed in a timely manner. This kind of face injury can lead to soft tissue damage, orbital and nasal fractures, mandibular fractures, as well as other difficulties. Any kind of injury that is sustained to the maxillofacial location calls for specialized treatment and observation since a lot of our essential sensory systems and fundamental structures are located in the head, neck, and face.
Mandibular fractures, also called jaw fractures, are the second most common skeletal facial injury after nasal fractures. In fact, it is approximated that mandibular fractures create as much as 70% of maxillofacial damages. This is because of the way our jaws naturally protrude and because the chin has much less support from the cranium than other locations of the face. The mandibular is a movable U-shaped bone that connects on either side of the mandible. The mobility of this bone permits us to move our jaw and it also houses our teeth. Among the most regular causes of jaw fractures are:
▪ Automotive Crashes
▪ Falls
▪ Physical Assault
▪ Sports
Signs and Symptoms of a Bone Fracture
Generally, the mandible will crack in two regions, at the spot of the direct impact as well as in the place directly opposite of the original site. Every trauma sustained to the mandible bone should be examined by a doctor within 24 hours of the accident. The key symptoms of mandibular fractures consist of swelling, soreness, inflammation, and loss of functionality such as talking, respiration and chewing. Further, bruising and numbness of the face and neck might come with these bone fractures. If a patient thinks that they have broken their jaw, it is vital to get medical attention quickly. A broken jaw can potentially interrupt the airway, cutting off the capability to breathe.
Injury to the Teeth
Considering that the jaw bone houses all of our teeth, oral trauma is a concern when taking care of these types of injuries. Malocclusion is the inability to appropriately align the teeth due to injury. It can happen in any combination of spots containing the anterior and posterior segments, mandibular arch, and maxillary arch. Additional traits to look out for would be missing or chipped teeth, and tooth and root fractures. Treatment techniques consist of restorative dental care, orthodontics, soft tissue repair, temporomandibular joint operations, and additional remedies depending on the kind and severity of the problem.
Oral Specialists
When a doctor has diagnosed the issue, they will typically recommend the patient to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon for further therapies. Basically, oral and maxillofacial specialists specialize in the identification and treatment solution of damages concerning the face location. These particular professionals have been qualified in both medical and dental professions so that they are competent in treating a wide range of regular dental surgical complications such as:
▪ Salivary Gland Disease
▪ Oral Cancer
▪ Facial Trauma
▪ Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Medical Treatment and Healing
Orthognathic procedures, also called corrective jaw surgery, is executed by the OMS--the oral and maxillofacial surgeon--after they have established that this surgery is suitable for the amount of injury that the patient is suffering. Once the jaw has been rearranged or restored, the operating surgeon will choose various solutions to hold the jaw in the new place while it heals. Medical gadgets like wires and screws, surgical plates, and rubber bands will be attached in the jaw during the procedure. Maxillofacial injuries and the resulting dental damage call for more than just one doctor to help the patient in therapy and healing. For example, endodontists are able to carry out root canal surgery and restorative dentists can manage broken and fractured teeth.
For those who need surgery to correct their traumas, the healing procedure can take up to 6 weeks. A soft food diet is vital throughout this period given that tougher foods can lead the surgical plates to crack. Furthermore, an excellent dental health regimen during the first few weeks immediately after surgery will allow the surgery site to withstand any type of contamination. As reported by the King's College Hospital, advises the patient to cleanse their mouth with warm salt water or mouthwash a minimum of three times a day for a week immediately following surgery. A little soft-bristled toothbrush, like a kid's, is ideal to clean the teeth near the operation site. The King's College Hospital also recommends that patients refrain from smoking during the recovery process since it might maximize the possibility of infection.
Maxillofacial damage can be brought on by a range of accidents. It is crucial for the patient to get medical attention as soon as possible if they think that they could have received damage to the face area, or if they experience any one of the problems that have been provided in this article.
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