WHAT IS FACIAL TRAUMA?
Facial injuries can occur any time or any place.
Examples include sports-related injuries that can occur during baseball, softball, football, basketball or soccer games. More serious injuries occur with motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds or altercations. Facial bone fractures, broken teeth, or lacerations can be the result of any of these examples. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons such as Dr. Roberson, are individuals specifically trained to deal with these injuries that include the mouth, face, and jaw.
Dental injuries may involve the teeth and/or the supporting bone. Individual or multiple teeth may be broken, knocked out of place, or knocked out of mouth. Lacerations of the face, lips, gums or cheek lining are often present with dental injuries. It is important to treat these injuries as soon as possible.
Facial bone fractures can include lower jaw, upper jaw, palate, cheekbones, eye socket or combinations of these bones. Some of these injuries can involve hospitalization. However, many facial injuries can be treated in the office. Dr. Roberson has advanced training in surgery and anesthesia to treat these types of injuries in his office.
The treatment of facial fractures is similar to any broken bone in the body. The broken bones must be lined up and held in position to allow healing. This will require six weeks to allow for proper healing. Fractures that are extensive may require incisions to expose the bone along with a combination of wiring or plating techniques. In the case of a break in the upper or lower jaw, metal braces will be fastened to the teeth and wires will be used to hold the jaws together. It is important to have your occlusion (bite) set properly by an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon if the facial fracture involves the upper or lower jaw. Titanium plates may be used to speed healing and allow opening and closing of the jaw while healing. You will be prescribed a special diet while your jaws are wired together along with instructions specific to your fracture. After your jaws have healed, the metal braces and wires will be removed, usually in Dr. Roberson’s office under IV sedation.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Payment is due at the time service is rendered. We do have 90-day, no-interest plans. To find out if you qualify, please contact our office PRIOR to your appointment to complete a short application.
INSURANCE
Please remember you are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office regardless of your insurance coverage. We will send you a monthly statement. Please bring your insurance information with you to the consultation so that we can expedite reimbursement.
