A facial injury, such as one sustained in a car accident or as the result of athletic endeavors, can affect any of the structures in the mouth; the bone, the teeth or the soft tissues. Depending on the type of injury and the tissue affected, the approach to facial surgery will differ.
An injury to the skin, lips, gums or inner cheek requires specialized techniques. For example, if the injury to a soft tissue is in a highly visible area, the oral surgeon will take caution to avoid scarring. If stitches are needed, the oral surgeon will try to minimize any visible remnants of the injury resulting from those stitches.
Depending on the circumstances of the injury, it may be possible for the patient to receive surgical treatment for a soft tissue injury in an outpatient setting. For minor lacerations, only local anesthesia may be needed, although many patients prefer to add sedation as well for increased comfort.
As with all surgeries for facial injuries, the oral surgeon will take precautions to minimize infection. In addition to maintaining a sterile surgical area, the surgeon may also prescribe a course of prophylactic antibiotics as an additional measure to reduce your chances of developing an infection.
It is certainly possible to sustain injuries to both the bone and the soft tissues of the facial region, and in such cases, the oral surgeon will need to evaluate the patient thoroughly to determine the sequence in which facial surgery is performed.
With soft tissue injuries, the oral surgeon may also encounter challenges presented by other involved structures, such as nerves or salivary glands. The surgeon will proceed with dexterity to avoid damage to those highly sensitive areas, as well.
Often, repairing a soft tissue injury in the facial region presents a risk of permanent scarring. To reduce this risk, choose an oral surgeon with extensive experience in performing such procedures and one who has achieved good outcomes in the past.
Contact our experienced oral surgeons at 817-552-3223 if you have experienced trauma to the soft tissues of your face.