Oral surgeons receive years of hands-on training and experience in hospital and emergency room environments. This hospital-based experience gives surgeons the tools they need to repair facial injuries of all kinds, including facial fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries. Dr. Charles Stone, Dr. Brian Stone, and Dr. Wade Barker at Southern Surgical Arts are experts at repairing facial fractures, cuts, dental injuries, and more. In fact, our doctors are also on staff at EMTC Tyler and Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, where they help treat facial injuries.
Our doctors recognize that facial trauma can be physically and emotionally stressful, and we will do our best to make you feel comfortable and informed throughout your treatment. Oral surgeons understand how to restore long-term oral and facial function and maintain facial aesthetics when repairing a facial cut or bone injury. Most of the time, it’s impossible to know when a facial injury will happen, but if you or a family member experiences a facial trauma, we hope the information below helps you feel more informed and prepared.
Treating Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma
Work-related accidents, sports injuries, falls, and other incidents may cause oral and facial injuries. Your surgeon will evaluate your condition to determine the best course of treatment for your situation.
Dental injuries. Your dentist can treat some dental injuries, but when teeth are knocked out or the tooth socket is damaged, an oral surgeon may be necessary. Patients who experience severe tooth damage or knock out a tooth are encouraged to come to our office as soon as possible. Do not clean off the tooth because doing so can damage vital tissues. Instead, try to preserve the tooth in saliva or a container of whole milk and bring it to the office. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Bone injuries/fractures. In many cases, treating facial bone injuries is similar to treating other broken bones — the broken portion is stabilized in position while it heals back together. Rather than using a cast (which isn’t possible for most facial bones), oral surgeons use small biocompatible screws and plates to secure facial bones in their proper positions. The materials used bond naturally with your bone, so these fixtures usually do not need to be removed following treatment and healing.
Facial cuts. Oral surgeons usually treat facial cuts using sutures or stitches. Your doctor will be careful to minimize scarring while also looking out for damage to critical facial structures such as nerves or glands.
If you experience a facial injury, our staff will see you as soon as possible. Usually, we will make space in the schedule to see you the day you call. Make sure you seek emergency treatment if your injuries are severe. Our oral surgeons also have staff privileges at EMTC Tyler and Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, where they can assist with some facial and dental injuries.
Facial Injury Treatment in Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX
When you experience a facial injury, it’s important to see a specialist. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons understand how to treat injuries while preserving your appearance and long-term functional abilities. If you are in severe pain after a facial injury, we will make time to see you as soon as possible. Contact our office in Tyler, TX, or Palestine, TX, to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Types of Anesthesia
Learn more about the different anesthesia options available.
Hear From Facial Trauma Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing facial trauma at our office.
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