If It’s Serious, Call 911 First

Facial Trauma Treatment in Newport Beach

A fall, a crash, an elbow in a game. For trouble breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won’t stop, or a possible head injury, call 911 or go to the nearest ER first. For a tooth or a stable fracture, call (949) 204-0775.

Request a Consultation Call (949) 204-0775

30–60 min

to save a knocked-out tooth

~6 wk

to bony union

Titanium

fixation — rarely wired shut

ABOMS

board certified surgeon

30–60 min

to save a knocked-out tooth

~6 wk

to bony union

Titanium

fixation — rarely wired shut

ABOMS

board certified surgeon

How It Works

Treated now vs left untreated

Treated now

Left to heal

The bite

Restored

Permanently altered

Bone position

Realigned

Heals as it lies

Later correction

Rarely needed

Osteotomy

Best window

Within days

Closes fast

Facial injuries fall into three kinds: soft-tissue injuries, dental injuries, and facial bone and jaw fractures. Repairing a laceration is more than closing skin — branches of the facial nerve and salivary ducts run beneath many wounds and must be assessed first.

Facial fractures are repaired so the bite is restored correctly, not only so the bone unites — the part general surgeons are not trained for and oral and maxillofacial surgeons are.

Knocked-Out Tooth: The First Hour

Handle by the crown

Pick the tooth up by the chewing surface — never touch the root.

Don’t scrub or dry it

The cells on the root surface are what allow it to reattach.

Rinse gently if dirty

A few seconds in milk or saline — nothing more.

Put it back if you can

Place it straight into the socket and bite on gauze.

Otherwise keep it moist

Transport in milk or the patient’s own saliva; plain water only as a last resort.

Get seen immediately

Reimplantation works best within 30 minutes, and up to about an hour.

What Happens

Stabilization and airway first, in the ER for acute injuries.

Imaging — a panoramic radiograph and a CT or cone beam CT define the fracture pattern.

Reduction — the bone is realigned, held closed (arch bars and elastics) or open (titanium plates).

The bite is the reference point throughout, so the teeth meet correctly afterward.

Follow-up — loosened teeth are splinted, and teeth lost in the injury are replaced later with implants.

What Happens

01Stabilization and airway first, in the ER for acute injuries.

02Imaging — a panoramic radiograph and a CT or cone beam CT define the fracture pattern.

03Reduction — the bone is realigned, held closed (arch bars and elastics) or open (titanium plates).

04The bite is the reference point throughout, so the teeth meet correctly afterward.

05Follow-up — loosened teeth are splinted, and teeth lost in the injury are replaced later with implants.

Signs of a Broken Jaw

A bite that suddenly does not meet correctly — often the earliest sign

Pain in front of the ear when opening or closing

Difficulty opening, or a jaw that deviates to one side

Swelling, bruising under the tongue, numbness of the lower lip or chin

Loose or displaced teeth, or a visible step in the gum line

Insurance and Billing

Facial trauma is generally a medical claim, not a dental one, because it treats an injury. Auto accidents often fall under auto insurance medical-payments coverage or a personal-injury claim; work injuries under workers’ compensation; sports and household injuries typically your health plan.

Keep photographs, ER paperwork, imaging and receipts — these support a claim later. Costs vary too widely by injury for a meaningful published range; we provide documentation for your carrier and a written estimate for any planned procedure.

Recovery

Swelling peaks in the first 48 to 72 hours, then improves; a soft or liquid diet continues to about six weeks, when most jaw and facial fractures reach bony union. Plates and screws stay in permanently, removed only if they cause a problem.

First 48–72 hr swelling peaksWeeks 1–6 soft diet8–12 wk back to contact sports

Aftercare

Ice and head elevation for the first few days

Soft or liquid diet to about six weeks, depending on the fracture

No contact sports until healing is confirmed (8–12 weeks)

Keep the site clean and take medication as prescribed

Plates and screws stay in permanently

Call the Office Promptly For

Fever, or increasing pain or swelling after the first few days

Drainage from an incision

A changed bite or new numbness

Any change in vision

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to the ER first?

Yes, if there is difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, vision change or possible head injury. For an isolated dental injury or a stable facial fracture, call the office directly.

What do I do with a knocked-out tooth, and how long do I have?

Handle it by the crown, do not scrub it, and either replace it in the socket or transport it in milk or saliva. Aim for 30 minutes, and up to about an hour.

Will my jaw be wired shut?

Often not. Titanium plates and screws allow rigid fixation and earlier movement, and when wiring is used it is typically for a few weeks.

Will I have visible scars, and do the plates stay in?

Most repairs go through incisions inside the mouth, leaving no external scar, and any skin incision follows a natural crease. Plates and screws are inert titanium and are usually left permanently.

How long until I can eat normally?

A soft or liquid diet is usual until bony union at roughly 6 weeks, then a gradual return to normal.

Can a facial fracture heal on its own, and will my bite be the same?

Undisplaced fractures sometimes heal acceptably with observation and a soft diet, but displaced fractures left alone tend to heal in the wrong position and leave a permanently altered bite. Restoring the bite is the goal, and most patients return to the bite they had.

Become Our Next Success Story

2121 E Coast Hwy, Ste 160, Corona del Mar · Mon–Thu 8–5, Fri 8–2

Request a Consultation Call (949) 204-0775