Maxillofacial InjuriesBy: Dr. Steven Selchow

Introduction Maxillofacial injuries, or facial traumas,

happen due to sports, motor vehicle accidents, or simple accidents.

Surgeons have been extensively trained to treat injuries to the mouth, jaw, teeth, and other facial structures.

Since these parts of the body relate directly to breathing, speaking, seeing, and swallowing, they require the utmost care.

Common Maxillofacial Injuries Some of the most common facial injuries include

fractured or broken jaws, palates, cheekbones, and eye sockets.

Just as with any other broken bone, the fragments must be realigned and left alone to mend for a period of several weeks.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to set these structures so that they heal correctly and in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The face is a sensitive part of the body; even a split lip must be professionally sutured to heal efficiently.

Preventive Measures There are many preventative measures to take in order to

avoid maxillofacial injuries, such as wearing helmets, masks, mouth guards, face guards, and other protective articles when playing sports.

A mouth guard is a universal, preventative measure and is more lightweight and stronger than ever before, due to recent material advances.

When choosing a mouth guard, it should fit well, covering teeth and gums without misaligning the jaw.

For professional athletes, dentists are able to create custom-fitted mouth guards that provide the highest level of protection.