Facial Trauma
Facial Trauma Care in Rancho Mirage
Specialized Care for Facial Injuries
Facial trauma may result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, work-related injuries, interpersonal violence, or other accidents. These injuries can involve the skin, gums, teeth, jaws, facial bones, nerves, salivary glands, or other important structures.
Because facial injuries can affect both function and appearance, treatment requires careful evaluation, emergency care when needed, and long-term planning when reconstruction or rehabilitation is necessary.
Types of Facial Trauma We Treat
Facial trauma care may be needed for patients with:
Facial injuries are often classified as soft tissue injuries, bone injuries, or injuries to special regions such as the eyes, facial nerves, or salivary glands.
- Facial lacerations
- Intraoral lacerations
- Knocked-out teeth
- Dental injuries
- Fractured facial bones, such as cheek or nose fractures
- Fractured upper or lower jaw
- Soft tissue injuries involving the face, lips, gums, or mouth
- Injuries involving facial nerves, salivary glands, or nearby structures
What to Expect
The Facial Trauma Treatment Process
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Evaluation
Your care begins with an exam, review of the injury, imaging when needed, and assessment of the affected tissues, teeth, bones, and facial structures.
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Treatment Planning
Treatment depends on the type, location, severity of the injury, the patient’s age and health, and whether soft tissue, teeth, bones, or nearby structures are involved.
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Repair or Reconstruction
Soft tissue injuries may be repaired with sutures. Facial bone fractures may require stabilization using surgical techniques such as small plates and screws. Dental injuries may require splinting, replanting, or coordination with other dental specialists.
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Recovery and Follow-Up
After treatment, patients receive instructions for healing, diet, activity, oral hygiene, medications, and follow-up care. Some injuries may require long-term monitoring or additional treatment.
Dental Injuries
What to Do If a Tooth Is Knocked Out
If a tooth is knocked out, it should be handled carefully, and the patient should be seen as soon as possible. Place the tooth in salt water or milk and avoid wiping it, since important ligament tissue may still be attached. The sooner the tooth is reinserted into the socket, the better the chance it may survive.
If the injured tooth cannot be saved, dental implants may be considered as a replacement option after healing and evaluation.
Related Services
Related Oral Surgery Services
Get Started
Need Evaluation for a Facial Injury?
If you have a facial injury, jaw injury, dental trauma, laceration, or concern after an accident, Desert Maxillofacial Center can help evaluate your condition and recommend the next step.
For severe trauma, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, or life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.