Trauma

Facial trauma or facial injuries can often require surgery, and this is where a Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon (MFOS) comes in.

ABOUT PROCEDURE

A MFOS is able to treat trauma cases in the form of emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation. And although function and healing is the foremost priority, Dr Beukes is attentive to the aesthetic or cosmetic factors involved with facial trauma, and ensures that the outcomes for his patients cater to both.

OPERATION INFORMATION

Hospitalisation	from 1 day (no overnight stay) to a few days
Anaesthesia	General (in most cases)
Recovery Period	6 weeks for the bony components; the soft tissue component (swelling and bruising) will heal quickly
Stich Removal	after 7-10 days

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are examples of a maxillofacial trauma?

Examples of how maxillofacial trauma (injury to the mouth, face and jaw) can occur include sports accidents, motor vehicle accidents, injury on duty, and assault. Therefore, common injuries include broken jaws and fractured cheekbones.
Can a broken jaw or cheekbone heal without surgery?

There are specific occasions when no surgery is required, but it is best to consult with a MFOS because such fractures are not always initially associated with functional deficits and, therefore, can often be wrongly overlooked. If they are not recognised and treated in a timely manner by a facial trauma specialist, jaw and cheekbone fractures can lead to undesirable cosmetic and functional outcomes at a later stage. For example, fractures of any bones in the jaw will alter the way your mouth opens and closes; whereas early treatment can prevent loss of function and more complicated procedures at a later stage.
How do I know if I have a cheekbone fracture?

After experiencing any significant trauma to the face, it is strongly advised to have an OMS evaluate the damage immediately, as the treatment depends on how badly the bone is broken. If there is significant swelling of the face, certain changes may not be apparent for several weeks, but changes in the appearance of the cheek include the side of the face looking pushed in or the lower part of the eye socket appearing depressed. You may also experience pain while chewing or an inability to fully open the mouth.
How do I know if I have a cheekbone fracture?

After experiencing any significant trauma to the face, it is strongly advised to have a MFOS evaluate the damage immediately, as the treatment depends on how badly the bone is broken. If there is significant swelling of the face, certain changes may not be apparent for several weeks. These changes in the appearance of the cheek include the side of the face looking pushed in or the lower part of the eye socket appearing depressed. You may also experience pain while chewing, double vision or an inability to fully open the mouth.
How do I know if I have a broken or dislocated jaw?

After experiencing any significant trauma to the face, it is strongly advised to have a MFOS evaluate the damage immediately, as the treatment depends on how badly the bone is broken. Signs of a broken jaw include facial bruising, teeth no longer touching when biting, swelling or numbness, jaw stiffness, tenderness or pain that worsens with biting and chewing, a bleeding mouth, and damaged or loose teeth. Signs of a dislocated jaw include difficulty speaking, inability to close your mouth, a misaligned bite or teeth, or protruding jaw.