Have you ever noticed that one of our primary reactions to a possible accident is the immediate effort to defend our face and head?
When somebody throws a punch or if we get involved in an automotive collision, our arms and hands travel to our face to make an effort to shield ourselves from any severe harm. Most of the time, we do not even think about the act of protecting our face–we just do it immediately.
Maxillofacial trauma is injuries that are at risk for being missed, and this error can lead to serious challenges and irritation in the future if they are not addressed in a timely manner. This sort of facial trauma can result in soft tissue damage, mandibular, nasal and orbital fractures, as well as other concerns. Any injury that is sustained to the maxillofacial region requires specialized treatment and consideration because so many of our significant sensory systems and fundamental structures are located in the head, neck, and face.
Mandibular fractures, also referred to as jaw fractures, are one of the most frequent skeletal facial injuries only after nasal fractures. Furthermore, it is believed that mandibular fractures comprise as high as 70% of maxillofacial injuries. This is because of the way our jaws typically stick out and since the chin has much less support from the cranium than other locations of the face. The mandibular is a mobile U-shaped bone that is connected on either side of the jaw. The range of motion of this bone makes it possible for us to move our jaw and it also houses our teeth. Among the most regular sources of mandible fractures are:
▪ Car Collisions
▪ Falls
▪ Physical Assault
▪ Sports
Signs of a Bone Fracture
Commonly, the jaw will crack in two locations, at the site of the direct collision along within the area directly opposite of the first location. The trauma sustained to the mandible bone should be seen by medical professionals within 24 hours of the accident. The primary symptoms of mandibular fractures include soreness, inflammation, swelling, and loss of functionality including breathing, talking, and chewing. In addition, bruising and tingling of the neck and face can come with these bone fractures. If a person fears that they have injured the jaw, it is vital to seek medical attention right away. A broken mandible will possibly obstruct the airway, cutting off the ability to breathe.
Dental Injury
Given that the jaw bone houses all of our teeth, an oral injury is a concern when dealing with these types of accidents. Malocclusion is the incapability to properly align the teeth as a result of damage. It can manifest in just about any combination of spots containing the mandibular arch, maxillary arch, and the anterior and posterior sections. Additional things to pay attention to can be missing teeth, and tooth and root cracks. Treatment methods include corrective dental care, orthodontics, temporomandibular joint surgery, and additional solutions depending upon the sort and extent of the problem.
Oral Specialists
Once a doctor has determined the concern, they will often recommend the patient to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon for additional procedures. Essentially, oral and maxillofacial specialists provide services for the medical diagnosis and treatment solution of damages pertaining to the facial territory. These experts have been qualified in both medical and dental practices to ensure that they are capable of dealing with a large variety of common oral surgical issues like:
▪ Salivary Gland Disease
▪ Oral Cancer
▪ Facial Injury
▪ Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Remedies and Therapy
Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, is done by the OMS–the oral and maxillofacial surgeon–after they have established that this operation is suitable for the level of injury that the patient is enduring. After the mandible has been repositioned or restored, the surgeon will utilize various ways to secure the mandible in the new position while it recovers. Medical devices like screws, rubber bands, wires, and medical plates will be attached in the jaw at the time of surgery. Maxillofacial injuries and the resulting oral damage need more than one doctor to assist the patient in therapy and healing. For example, endodontists are able to conduct root canal surgery and corrective dentists can care for broken and fractured teeth.
For those who require surgery to cure their damages, the healing process can take as much as six weeks. A soft food diet is vital throughout this time frame because tougher types of foods can lead the surgical plates to fracture. Furthermore, a good oral health routine during the course of the first couple of weeks after surgery will help the surgery site to withstand any kind of infection. According to the King’s College Hospital, the patient needs to rinse their mouth out with warm salt water or mouthwash a minimum of 3 times a day for a week promptly after surgery. A small soft-bristled toothbrush, similar to a kid’s, is suitable to brush the teeth near the stitches. The King’s College Hospital also advises that patients do not smoke throughout the recovery process as it may enhance the likelihood of infection.
A maxillofacial injury could be caused by a range of experiences. It is necessary for the patient to find medical attention as soon as possible if they believe that they might just have suffered a wound to the facial location, or if they suffer any one of the problems that have been provided in this article.
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