Facial Trauma

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons like Dr. Graves and Dr. Wilkinson are specially trained to manage facial injuries, ranging from simple cuts to complex facial rehabilitation. In the event of facial trauma, you can depend on our team at Lubbock Dental Specialists to provide you and your loved ones with the highest level of care. Oral surgeons are also on call at local hospitals and respond to emergency traumatic incidents. 

Dr. Scherer is an endodontist who specializes in preserving the health of natural teeth. If a tooth gets knocked out or requires surgery, Dr. Scherer will make every effort to reattach or save your natural tooth. If you are in need of treatment for a facial or dental injury, contact our office in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, and we will see you as soon as possible. 

Please note that if you are experiencing a true medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 to receive care from the oral surgeon on call. 

Types of Facial Injuries 

An injury to the head, neck, mouth, or face can happen to anyone at any time. Facial trauma can be the result of a workplace injury, a vehicle accident, a sports-related injury, or domestic violence. There are many types of facial injuries, including: 

• Cuts (lacerations) on the face or inside the mouth 
• Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
• Fractured facial bones
• Fractured jaws 

As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, our goal when treating facial trauma is to help you regain functionality of the head, neck, mouth, and face while achieving pleasing aesthetic results. We understand the emotional nature of a traumatic injury, and our team at Lubbock Dental Specialists will treat you and your loved ones with compassion and provide support at every step of the oral surgery journey. 

Treatment for Facial Trauma 

Treatment for a facial injury will depend on the type and severity of the injury. When you come to our office, we will take 3D scans to assess your facial structure and create your custom care plan. There are many anesthesia and sedation options available to ensure your comfort during treatment, and we will help you select the right option for your needs. 

Soft Tissue Injuries 

We will often use sutures to repair soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations. We carefully place sutures in less noticeable areas to reduce visible scarring. 

Bone Injuries 

Unlike a broken arm or leg, a broken facial bone cannot be placed in a cast to heal. Instead, we use plates or screws to stabilize broken facial bones and allow them to heal. Some cases may require the jaws to be wired shut by attaching braces to the upper and lower teeth and using rubber bands or wires to hold the jaws together. 

Tooth Injuries 

To treat a broken or cracked tooth, we can use a filling to repair the tooth and a dental crown to protect the tooth from further damage. If a tooth has been knocked out, we will make every attempt to reattach it. Here’s what to do if one or more of your teeth get knocked out: 

1. Place the tooth in a container of whole milk or saliva. 
2. Do not touch the roots or clean anything off of the tooth. Only handle it by its crown.
3. Contact our office to be seen as soon as possible. The sooner we can reinsert the tooth, the higher the chance it will survive. 

If we are unable to reattach the tooth, we can discuss your options for tooth replacement. Dental implants are a healthy and long-term solution that provides the most natural-looking results, and we are happy to walk you through your implant and other restorative options.

Facial Trauma Treatment at Lubbock Dental Specialists

Our team at Lubbock Dental Specialists are here to provide you and your loved ones with the highest level of care possible. In the event of a facial injury, contact our office in Lubbock or Amarillo, TX, to be seen by Dr. Scherer, Dr. Graves, or Dr. Wilkinson.