Facial Trauma

Restoring Facial Features

Any injury to the face or head, whether due to motor vehicle accident, a fall, sports, work related, or physical violence, can affect your sight or your ability to breathe, speak or swallow. These injuries can range from facial cuts and lacerations to more serious problems such as broken teeth and fractures. Facial fractures can involve any combination of bones in the lower or upper jaw, palate, cheekbones or eye socket. The facial plastic surgeons at The Peer Group, serving Randolph, Maplewood, South Orange and all of northern New Jersey, are specially trained to treat injuries specific to the mouth, face and jaw. Not all facial injuries are alike; some are more serious than others. Even in the case of a moderately cut lip, the expertise of our plastic surgeons is invaluable in bringing about the desired cosmetic result.

The treatment of facial fractures is similar, in principle, to the treatment of a broken arm or leg. The method of treatment is determined by various factors such as the location and severity of the fracture and the age and health of the patient. The patient’s facial appearance is minimally affected in the treatment of facial fractures. In accessing the facial bones, the incisions are designed to be small and, whenever possible, placed in areas such as the hairline or jaw so that the resulting scar is hidden from view. Skilled plastic surgeons can minimize the cosmetic impact of this treatment.

While you cannot always avoid injury, accidents can and do happen. But you can take steps to avoid or ameliorate them. For example, use seatbelts when riding in any automobile, and protective mouth guards and appropriate masks and helmets when engaged in sports or other outdoors activities.