What is maxillofacial trauma?

Maxillofacial trauma refers to any injury to the jaws or face. Facial trauma may present as burns, skin lacerations, obstruction to the sinuses or nasal cavity, damage to the eye sockets, fracture to the jawbone, and missing or broken teeth.

Symptoms may include swelling, pain, bleeding, bruising, and numbness. Fractures to the facial bones may result in difficulty breathing, speaking or seeing. Maxillofacial trauma may also involve serious or life-threatening symptoms, such as brain injury, airway obstruction, excessive bleeding, or shock.

Treatment for maxillofacial injuries

Treatment for maxillofacial injuries varies, depending on the type of and severity of the injury. Treatment will include a careful examination of structures and systems, including a comprehensive physical exam and x-rays. In some cases, diagnosis and treatment must be delayed until the swelling subsides or until more severe injuries are resolved.

Treatment for facial trauma is complex and often involves bleeding control, airway control reduction of swelling, prevention of infection, repair of bone fractures, repair of lacerations or soft tissue injury, and reconstruction.

Dr Rushdi Hendricks treats the following maxillofacial trauma conditions:

• Dentoalveolar injuries and fractures: Surgical procedures performed to correct issues with the teeth, gums, jawbone, and other bony and soft and bony tissues located in the mouth.
• Soft tissue injuries to facial structures
• Treatment of fractures of the forehead, cheekbone, eye sockets, nose, upper and lower jaws, teeth
• Gunshot / ballistic injuries
• Motorvehicle, industrial injuries
• Airway injuries
• Restoring the aesthetics of facial proportions
• Restoring the functionality of jaw joints and bites and damaged or missing teeth.