Procedures
Facial Trauma
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is trained and experienced in the proper treatment of traumatic facial injuries. Dr. Pennington is well versed in emergency care, acute treatment and long-term reconstruction and facial trauma rehabilitation. Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high degree of emotional, as well as physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training involving a “hands on” experience and an understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient’s long term function and appearance.
Dr. Pennington is on staff at the Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden Campus and is prepared to deliver emergency room coverage for facial injuries, which include the following conditions:
- Facial lacerations
- 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
There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence, and work-related injuries. Typically, facial injuries involve either the soft tissue (skin and gums), the bone (fractures), or special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves or the salivary glands), or a combination of the three.
Soft Tissue Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region
When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations occur on the face, they are repaired by carefully suturing the wound together. Dr. Pennington will provide a repair that yields the best cosmetic result possible while taking care to inspect for and treat injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts (or outflow channels).
Dr. Pennington is 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 in a manner similar to the fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, which include the location of the fracture, the severity of the fracture, the age, and general health of the patient. When an arm or a leg is fractured, a cast is often applied to stabilize the bone to allow for proper healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, other means have been developed to stabilize facial fractures.
One of these options involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Certain other types of fractures of the jaw are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the involved site. This technique of treatment can often allow for healing and obviates the need to wire the jaws together. This technique is called "rigid fixation" of a fracture. The relatively recent development and use of rigid fixation has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.
The treatment of facial fractures should be accomplished in a thorough and predictable manner. More importantly, the patient's facial appearance should be minimally affected. Dr. Pennington will use the least number of incisions necessary, and always design them to be small and hidden if possible.
Injuries to the Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures
Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons treat fractures of the supporting bone or replant teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These types of injuries are treated by splinting (stabilizing the teeth by wiring or bonding).
If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in salt water or milk immediately and the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. The sooner the displaced tooth is re-inserted into the socket, the better the chance of survival. 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. Other dental specialists may be called upon such as an endodontist, to perform root canal therapy, and a restorative dentist who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants can replace the missing teeth.