Facial Trauma
An oral and maxillofacial surgeons are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation. Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high degree of emotional as well as physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training involving a “hands on” experience and an understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient’s long-term function and appearance.
Dr. Pashkowsky meets and exceeds these modern standards. She is trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma.
- Facial lacerations
- Intraoral lacerations
- Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
- Alveolar fractures (bone housing the teeth)
- Maxillary and mandibular fractures (jaw bone)
Injuries to the Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures
Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of multiple dental specialists. Oral surgeons usually are involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone, or in replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These types of injuries are treated by one of a number of forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If a tooth is knocked out it should be placed in tooth saver solution, saliva, salt water, or milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the dental socket the better chance it will survive. Therefore, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth. Other dental specialists may be called upon, such as endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or restorative dentists, who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often now utilized as replacements for missing teeth.