Facial Trauma

Conveniently located to serve Memphis, TN, Olive Branch, MS, & Little Rock, AR

What is Facial Trauma?

The face is one of the most prominent features of our physical identity, which makes facial injury a particularly traumatic event. Through facial trauma reconstruction offered by Dr. Micheal Williams, injuries to the face, neck or scalp as well damage to the bone or teeth, can be corrected or repaired.

The Procedure

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM FACIAL TRAUMA RECONSTRUCTION?

Facial trauma encompasses all injuries made to the face, jaw or mouth. Anyone who has experienced damage to one of these areas may benefit from reconstructive surgery. Facial trauma procedures can repair:

  • Soft tissue injuries, such as skin or gum lacerations
  • Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
  • Bone injuries such as facial fractures
  • Injuries to other regions such as the eyes, facial nerves or salivary glands

The goal of facial trauma reconstruction is to improve both the aesthetic appearance and long-term function of the treatment area through the most minimally invasive approach possible. Ideal candidates for surgery should possess generally good health as well as realistic expectations.

To find out if you are an ideal candidate for facial trauma reconstruction, you will need to consult with a qualified surgeon. During your consultation, factors such as your medical history, current medications and aesthetic goals will be considered.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR SURGERY

Prior to surgery, your surgeon will work with you to devise a personalized treatment plan. Your treatment will vary greatly depending on the specific location and type of facial injury. Soft tissue injuries such as lacerations to the face are often repaired with sutures. If large areas of skin are missing, your surgeon may perform flap reconstruction. Flap reconstruction involves transplanting living tissue from another part of your body to the treatment area.

Instances of bone injuries are treated in much the same way as any other broken bone. Because a cast is not a feasible option, a combination of wiring or plating techniques may be used to stabilize the bone. Bone grafts from other parts of your body or synthetic materials may be needed to fill in missing bone.

Dental injuries can be treated with a variety of wiring or bonding techniques. If a tooth has been cleanly knocked out, re-implantation may be possible.

AFTER YOUR FACIAL TRAUMA RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY

Recovery will depend on the extent and complexity of your procedure. It is realistic to anticipate a moderate amount of swelling and bruising in the treatment area, which may take several weeks to fully resolve. Your surgeon will provide you with specific aftercare instructions and may prescribe pain medication to manage your discomfort. Normal activities may be restricted for several weeks.

Incisions or repaired lacerations should be kept clean. Scars resulting from incision lines will gradually fade and flatten over the course of several months. Severe facial fractures may require additional surgery following the initial healing phase to help restore form and function to the face.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF FACIAL TRAUMA RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY

All surgical procedures carry the risk of complication. These risks will be discussed in depth during your consultation. Some risks associated with facial trauma surgery may include adverse reaction to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, infection or undesirable cosmetic outcome.

IF YOU’RE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Contact us to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to review photos and discuss details such as the cost and expected recovery time.

Your Facial Trauma procedure will be performed in Dr. Williams's surgery center in Germantown, TN.