Facial Trauma

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	Facial trauma includes a variety of injuries ranging from facial cuts and lacerations to broken teeth and fractured facial bones. Facial trauma can result from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, accidents at home or work, or other traumatic accidents.

	$some signs and symptoms of facial fractures include:$
	Pain
	Numbness of the lips, cheeks, tongue, nose and forehead
	Inability to open the mouth
	Change in the bite
	Swelling and bruising of the face
	Bleeding from the nose, mouth or ears
	Decreased vision or double vision
	Deep laceration over bone

	Generally facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bony injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves or the salivary glands). When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, occur to the face, they are repaired by 'suturing'. In addition to the obvious concern of providing a repair which yields the best cosmetic result possible, care needs to be taken to inspect for injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands and salivary ducts. An Oral and Maxillo facial Surgeon is highly trained and skilled in treating facial lacerations. The principles of treatment for facial bone fractures are the same for a broken arm or leg. The bone fragments must be lined up (reduced) and held in place long enough to permit them to heal (fixation). This may require 6 or more weeks depending on the patients' age, general health, and complexity of the fracture. During the healing period, the Oral and Maxillo facial Surgeon prescribes a specific nutritional diet to help the injury heal as quickly as possible (keeping the patient in good health). Oral and Maxillo facial Surgeons are specially trained and highly skilled in treating facial trauma. Facial injuries occur in a critical area of the body and can affect sight, breathing ability, speaking, eating and swallowing and, therefore should not be treated lightly when they occur or symptoms become evident.