Service description

An oral and maxillofacial specialist is thoroughly qualified to repair facial injuries. These professionals are well-versed in emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation for physical and emotional reasons. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training involving hands-on experience and understanding how the treatment will influence the patient's long-term function and appearance. Dr. Tien meets and exceeds these modern standards. He is trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat the following facial injuries: • Facial lacerations • Intraoral lacerations • Avulsed (knocked out) teeth • Fractured facial bones (cheek, nose, or eye socket) • Fractured jaws (upper and lower jaw)

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, occur on the face, they are repaired by suturing. In addition to the obvious concern of providing a repair that yields the best cosmetic result possible, care is taken to inspect for and treat injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts (or outflow channels).

BONE INJURIES

Fractures to the bones in the face are treated similarly to fractures in other body parts. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, including the fracture's location, severity, and the patient's age and general health. When an arm or leg is fractured, a cast is often applied to stabilize the bone to allow for proper healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, other means have been developed to stabilize facial fractures. One of these options involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Other jaw fractures are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the involved site. This treatment technique can often allow for healing and eliminates the need for having the jaws wired together. This technique is called "rigid fixation" of a fracture.

INJURIES TO THE TEETH AND SURROUNDING DENTAL STRUCTURES

Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons are usually involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These types of injuries are treated by one of several forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in salt water or milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the dental socket, the better chance it will survive. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off since remnants of the ligament holding the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to replanting the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called upon, such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists, who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. If injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often utilized as replacements for missing teeth.