Facial Injury
Treatment

Treatment for facial injuries varies, depending on the location and severity of your injury. Many people with facial injuries have additional medical problems. Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will coordinate the care of these medical conditions with the necessary specialists.

Like broken bones in other parts of your body, broken bones in your face first must be lined up and held in place long enough to heal properly. Depending on the severity of the injury and your age, this may take six or more weeks.

Repositioning and holding your broken bones in place may be achieved by a variety of techniques. For extensive facial injuries, incisions to expose the bones and then a combination of wiring and plating techniques may be used. Fractures of the upper and lower jaw may require metal braces that are fastened to your teeth with rubber bands or wires to hold your jaws together.

Patients with partial or full teeth loss may need dentures or specially designed splints to align and secure their fracture.

In most cases, surgery for facial injuries requires a hospital stay. Your jaw's normal functions and range of movements may be restricted, especially in cases when your jaw is wired shut. In these instances, you will have to follow a special diet to encourage healing. After you are discharged from the hospital, your surgeon will give you specific instructions for a special diet and caring for your injury.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 8, 2012