Procedures
Facial Trauma
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained, skilled and highly qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. Treatment of facial injuries requires that the surgeon be well versed in emergency care, acute treatment and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Dr. Allard meets and exceeds these standards. He is on staff at local hospitals and delivers emergency room coverage for facial injuries. These injuries include:
- Facial lacerations
- Intra oral lacerations
- Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
- Fractured facial bones (cheek, nose or eye socket)
- Fractured jaws (upper and lower jaw)
The Nature of Maxillofacial Trauma
Facial trauma can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, violence, and work-related injuries, just to name a few. These injuries can range from injuries of the teeth to extremely severe injuries of the skin and bones of the face. Facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries, bone injuries, or injuries to special regions. Areas affected by these injuries can be the skin and gums inside the mouth, fractures of the jaws or other bones of the face, and facial nerves.
Soft Tissue Injuries Of The Maxillofacial Region
Soft tissue injuries of the face, or lacerations, are repaired by suturing. Care must be taken to ensure that the repair of the laceration will return the affected structures to their original condition after healing has taken place. Obtaining a highly cosmetic result is also a priority. Dr. Allard is highly trained and proficient at diagnosing and treating all types of facial lacerations.
Bone Injuries Of The Maxillofacial Region
Fractures of the bones of the face are treated similarly to fractures in other parts of the body. Although casts cannot be applied to the face, wires, plates and screws are placed to stabilize the fractures.
The upper and/or lower jaws can be wired together for certain fractures. While other types of fractures are best treated by placing small plates and screws, or rigid fixation. An attempt to access the facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary is always made. If incisions are necessary, they are designed to be small and placed so that the resultant scar is hidden.
Injuries To The Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures
Dr. Allard commonly treats fractures of the supporting bone of the teeth and replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out (avulsed). Splinting the teeth together with wires or bonding materials treats these injuries.
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 that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth. If you or someone you know has suffered this type of injury, you should seek treatment by an oral surgeon as soon as possible.
Dr. Allard may seek the advise of other dental specialists such as endodontists, who may need to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth.
In the event that the injured tooth or teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are used to replace the lost tooth or teeth