FACIAL TRAUMA

Our surgical team is experienced at restoring function and appearance

Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul and Dr. Gigliotti have over 35 years of combined surgical experience in the treatment of all aspects of maxillofacial trauma. They are uniquely qualified to manage and treat many aspects of facial trauma and have unique skill sets that combine knowledge of dentistry, medicine and surgery. This collection of skills is never more valuable than when treating a patient with facial injuries since injuries to the face, by their very nature, carry a deep emotional component for patients.

The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training to understand and foresee how the treatment provided will influence the patient’s long term function and appearance. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul and Dr. Gigliotti are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment and also long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Facial trauma may occur for a range of different reasons and depending on the circumstances can often be very painful. Treating facial trauma as soon as possible is mandatory in order to guarantee the damaged tissues can heal under optimal conditions and minimize the pain and discomfort associated with it. At Maxillo 3 Lacs, we understand very well that trauma patients want competencies that extend above and beyond advanced surgical skills and seek the sensitivity and compassion that is often required in managing both visible and less apparent scars.

Typical conditions seen are as follows:

The M3L oral and maxillofacial surgical team is highly experienced in treating and managing facial fractures and trauma of all types and severity. There are unfortunately several events that patients experience and can lead to a facial trauma injury.

Some of the most common types of facial trauma injuries include:

  • Facial lacerations
  • Intra oral lacerations
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Mandibular fractures
  • Maxillary and midface injuries
  • Cheekbone fractures
  • Orbital Fractures
  • Combination of all the above

The different types of maxillofacial traumas

Facial traumas encompass all injuries to the teeth as well as extremely severe injuries to the skin and bones of the face. They can be an unfortunate consequence of events such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence, and work-related injuries.

Injuries to the maxillofacial region are classified as either

  1. Soft tissue injuries involving skin and gums
  2. Bone injuries such as fractures
  3. Injuries to other organs like the eyes, facial nerves, or the salivary glands.
Soft Tissue Injuries
When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, occur on the face they are usually repaired by suturing. Great care is taken to provide the best cosmetic results possible as well as making sure to treat injuries to underlying structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands and salivary ducts. Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul and Dr. Gigliotti are well-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons and are proficient at diagnosing and treating many types of facial lacerations and will provide the best possible cosmetic results.
Bone Injuries
Common bone injuries that occur in facial trauma cases include fractures of the upper or lower jaw as well as fractures of facial bones, such as the cheek, eye socket or nose. While fractured jaws or facial bones, like any other broken bone, must be stabilized for proper healing, the process is slightly more complex in the face, since casts are not a practical solution. For jaw fractures, stabilization may be done in some cases by wiring the jaws together, while in others, Dr. El-Hakim, Makhoul or Dr. Gigliotti may use a technique called rigid fixation that allows for the surgical placement of small plates and screws to stabilize the jaw. The procedures chosen for the treatment of fractured facial bones vary according to the exact nature of the injury however, the treatment of facial fractures should be accomplished in a thorough and predictable manner and more importantly, the patient’s facial appearance should always be minimally affected.
Injuries to other regions

Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists including an oral and maxillofacial surgeon like Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul and Dr. Gigliotti. Remember that if a tooth has been knocked out it should be placed immediately in salt water or milk to help it remain viable. Patients should contact the Maxillo 3 Lacs clinic as soon as possible to meet with our oral and maxillofacial surgeons and never try to clean the tooth since whatever tissue is left attached is actually vital to the success of replanting the tooth. In the event that an injured tooth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are now a safe choice to consider as permanent replacements for missing teeth.

Dr. El-Hakim, Dr. Makhoul and Dr. Gigliotti are trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat a wide range of facial traumas. To find out more about how they can help you, or to book a consultation directly with our M3L surgical team, please don’t hesitate to call us today at (514) 395-9896 or contact us using our online form.

Implantology and Maxillofacial Surgery Center

We accept new patients without a referral