Facial trauma encompasses all injuries made to the face, jaw or mouth. Anyone who has experienced damage to one of these areas may benefit from reconstructive surgery. Facial trauma procedures can repair:

• Soft tissue injuries, such as skin or gum lacerations
• Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
• Bone injuries such as facial fractures
• Injuries to other regions such as the eyes, facial nerves or salivary glands

The goal of facial trauma reconstruction is to improve both the aesthetic appearance and long-term function of the treatment area through the most minimally invasive approach possible. Ideal candidates for surgery should possess generally good health as well as realistic expectations.

To find out if you are an ideal candidate for facial trauma reconstruction, you will need to consult with a qualified surgeon. During your consultation, factors such as your medical history, current medications and aesthetic goals will be considered.

Prior to surgery, your surgeon will work with you to devise a personalized treatment plan. Your treatment will vary greatly depending on the specific location and type of facial injury. Soft tissue injuries such as lacerations to the face are often repaired with sutures. If large areas of skin are missing, your surgeon may perform flap reconstruction. Flap reconstruction involves transplanting living tissue from another part of your body to the treatment area.

Instances of bone injuries are treated in much the same way as any other broken bone. Because a cast is not a feasible option, a combination of wiring or plating techniques may be used to stabilize the bone. Bone grafts from other parts of your body or synthetic materials may be needed to fill in missing bone.

Dental injuries can be treated with a variety of wiring or bonding techniques. If a tooth has been cleanly knocked out, re-implantation may be possible.