Facial and Jaw Bone Fractures
Damage to facial bones after falls, traffic accidents, assaults and similar causes are called maxillofacial injuries. If these fractures are not treated, they can cause facial deformities. Additionally, fractures of the orbital bones can cause eye movement restriction, double vision and even vision loss. Mandibular and maxillary fractures can cause biting and speech dysfunction. Zygomatic fractures can restrict jaw movement. Nasal fractures can cause permanent airway obstruction. For all these reasons, facial fractures are very important and treatment is usually surgical.
Treatment Methods
In maxillofacial trauma, skin incisions may be made inside the mouth, below the eyelashes, at the brow edges or within the hairline to access the fractured bone. After reaching the fracture site, the fracture line is reduced and fixed using titanium plates-screws or wires. These materials can remain lifelong unless they cause problems; if they do, a second surgery may be needed for removal.
For jaw fractures, wires may be placed on the upper and lower jaws before or after surgery to stabilize the jaw. During surgery, severed nerves or other important structures are repaired.