Facial trauma

Summary

• Falls, assaults, sports and traffic accidents can fracture the jaw bones and injure the teeth.
• A change in how the teeth meet is an important sign of a jaw fracture. Pain, swelling, bruising and limited opening may accompany it.
• The goal is to return the bone fragments to the right position and let the teeth meet properly again.

Which signs suggest a fracture?

Teeth that no longer meet as before, a step felt along the jaw, a torn gum and numbness of the lower lip suggest a fracture. The jaw may also drift to one side on opening.

Assessment

The bite, facial sensation and tooth stability are checked. A panoramic X-ray gives the first information. Cross-sectional imaging clarifies the fracture direction and displacement.

For wounds that touched a dirty surface, tetanus vaccination status is checked.

Treatment options

Some undisplaced fractures heal with a soft diet and close follow-up. Displaced fractures are reduced and fixed with small titanium plates and screws.

In some cases the jaws are held together briefly with a system attached to the teeth. Injuries involving several facial bones are treated in hospital.

If a tooth is knocked out

Hold a permanent tooth by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds under cold running water without scrubbing.

If the person is conscious and it is possible, put the tooth back in its socket and bite on a clean cloth on the way to the clinician. Otherwise carry it in milk or saline. Time matters, so see a dentist without delay. Never place a tooth in the mouth of an unconscious person. Baby teeth are not replanted.

Emergency first

Call emergency services for loss of consciousness, vomiting, severe headache, visual disturbance or shortness of breath. Dental and jaw treatment is planned once the general condition is secured.

Known risks

Infection, a lasting change in the bite, loss of a tooth in the fracture line and long-lasting altered sensation can occur. Plates and screws may need removal later.

The nerve of an injured tooth may lose vitality months later, so follow-up visits matter.

Frequently asked

How long does a broken jaw take to heal?

Bone union usually takes a few weeks. A soft diet and follow-up visits are important during this time.

What should I do with a broken piece of tooth?

Keep it in water or saline and bring it along. In suitable cases it can be bonded back.

My child's baby tooth was knocked out. Can it go back?

No. Baby teeth are not replanted because this can harm the permanent tooth beneath. The child should still see a dentist.

Examination and treatment planning take place at Klinik 29 (Altunizade, Üsküdar). Klinik 29 website (English)

This information is for general guidance and does not replace an examination. Rapidly spreading facial swelling or difficulty swallowing or breathing is an emergency. Go to a hospital emergency department.