The dental specialist performs the proper treatment of facial injuries. These professionals must be well versed in emergency care, acute treatment and long term reconstruction and rehabilitation not just for physical reasons but emotional as well. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are trained, skilled and uniquely qualified to manage and treat Facial Trauma. 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 patients long term function and appearance.
Dr. Walzer, Dr. Sullivan, Dr. Hlousek, Dr. Jones, Dr. Chambers and Dr. Kufta meet and exceed these modern standards. They are trained, skilled and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. They are on staff at local hospitals and deliver emergency room coverage for facial injuries, which include the following conditions:
There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence and work related injuries. Types of facial injuries can range from injuries of teeth to extremely severe injuries of the skin and bones of the face. Typically, facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves or the salivary glands).
When soft tissue injuries such as lacerations occur on the face, they are repaired by suturing. In addition to the obvious concern of providing a repair that yields the best cosmetic result possible, care is taken to inspect for and treat injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands and salivary ducts (or outflow channels). Drs. Walzer, Sullivan, Hlousek, Jones, Chambers and Kufta are well-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons and are proficient at diagnosing and treating all types of facial lacerations.
Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in a manner similar to the fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, which include the location of the fracture, the severity of the fracture, the age and general health of the patient. When an arm or a leg is fractured, a cast is often applied to stabilize the bone to allow for proper healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, other means have been developed to stabilize facial fractures.
One of these options involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Certain other types of fractures of the jaw are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the involved site. This technique of treatment can often allow for healing and obviates the necessity of having the jaws wired together. This technique is called “rigid fixation” of a fracture. The relatively recent development and use of rigid fixation has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.
The treatment of facial fractures should be accomplished in a thorough and predictable manner. More importantly, the patient’s facial appearance should be minimally affected. An attempt at accessing the facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary is always made. At the same time, the incisions that become necessary, are designed to be small and, whenever possible, are placed so that the resultant scar is hidden.
Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various 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 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.
The proper treatment of facial injuries is now the realm of specialists who are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, long term reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the patient.
Our practice offers comprehensive oral and maxillofacial surgery, and our board-certified surgeons specialize in dental implants, advanced bone grafting, wisdom teeth removal, oral pathology, and IV sedation to restore oral health, function, and confidence.
Impacted or crowded wisdom teeth can lead to pain, infection, and shifting of nearby teeth, so our team removes them before they cause lasting problems with your bite and oral health.
Dental implants replace missing tooth roots, providing a secure foundation for natural-looking, fixed or removable replacement teeth.
Bone grafting restores lost bone and encourages new bone growth, creating a strong foundation for dental implants while improving both function and appearance.
IV sedation helps reduce anxiety and maximize comfort during oral surgery, allowing patients to feel deeply relaxed while our surgical team carefully monitors their safety throughout the procedure.
“I’ve seen Dr. Hlousek on a number of occasions and am impressed not only by his surgical expertise and knowledge but how caring he is. He explained everything in advance and even called me the day after my procedure to see how I was feeling and to call if I needed anything. He has a big heart and even donates his valuable time and skills to those less fortunate… my kind of doctor!”
“Oral Surgery Specialists are wonderful. From the front desk staff, to the dental assistants, to the doctors, you couldn’t ask for better care. Dr. Jones was kind and compassionate, talking me through everything he was doing. I highly recommend this practice.”
“The team was tremendous. Everyone was extremely nice and explained the whole process in manner that was easy to absorb when you’re anxious about why you are there. During the procedure, Dr Chambers and the whole team were incredibly efficient and well orchestrated, all while being very attentive to pain levels. Absolutely an auto recommend.”
“Dr. Kufta has the hands of an angel!! He and his team are the absolute best at what they do. After four visits, they are still warm, professional, and excellent listeners who always make me feel comfortable and well cared for.”
