Facial Trauma: Bone & Soft Tissue Injury

What is oral and maxillofacial trauma?

Facial or maxillofacial trauma is an injury of the face and jaw. Patients who suffer such injuries may have facial lacerations, fractured facial bones (cheek, nose or eye socket), fractured jaws (upper and lower) and broken teeth. There are a number of possible causes such as motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence and work-related injuries.

Soft tissue injuries are usually lesions that are closed with the help of sutures (stitches). The surgeon takes great care to identify and repair the lesions of all other facial structures, more particularly, nerves, glands, ducts, arteries, muscles and ligament.