Car Accident !!! Fractured teeth and jaw ?  Professional help

Manish had been a young and adventurous car driver. One fine summer morning, he was off-roading in his Thar when he lost control and crashed into a tree. His life was saved  by the airbag. However, he sustained serious injuries to his face.

Following the crash, he was taken to emergency ward where his vitals were stabilized. Once stable he realized that he was not able to close his teeth besides the immense pain in his jaws every time he moved them.

When the doctors realized that Manish had suffered a fracture in his lower jaw(mandible) and other facial bones, they recommended Mohan to get in touch with a Maxillo-Facial Surgeon(OMFS) who are specialist in jaw and facial fractures.

Oral & Maxill-Facial Surgeon advised them radiographs i.e. X-Rays to help him see the exact location and severity of the fractures. Most frequently advised X-rays for jaw and facial fractures are 

• OPG (Ortho Pantomo Gram)

• CT Face and Head (Computed Tomography)

• AP, Towne's, Reverse towne's, Lateral Ceph views of skull

Manish was bursting with questions in his thought.....!!!!!!

When will the pain go?

How will my teeth get back to normal place?

When will I be able to eat?

What should I eat?

Where should I get my treatment?

Will my jaws be tied together?

How long will my jaws be tied together?

We asked Dr Hussam, an Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgeon about all these questions.

He explained that Facial trauma is a often a combination of multiple bone fracture along with soft tissue injuries which may involving eye, tongue, lips and cheeks. Hence requires a comprehensive and well planned treatment.

Isolated fracture of single jaw bone may simply be treated under local anesthesia by immobilization of jaws using wires through teeth (closed reduction). However, multiple fractures or fracture with instability requires the patient to be taken under general anesthesia  where miniplates, screws, bone grafts etc., are used for optimum treatment.

The goal of treatment is to bring back teeth in original position to make sure efficient chewing without pain.

Patients treated by closed reduction are unable to eat solid foods for 4-6 weeks due to upper and lower teeth being tied together using stainless steel wires. Hence, they are given pureed diet to swallow. Patient treated with internal fixation using plates and screws can eat solid food relatively sooner, as early as 2-3 days.

All the treatment is done and post-operative care explained at maxillo-facial trauma centre. The patient should understand the process and instructions given by the doctors for healthy and wholesom recovery.

As Manish prepared for his surgery, he felt a mix of gratitude and determination. He knew that with the help of specialists and hospital staff the treatment would be seamless. Soon, he was fit and back to his hobby of off-roading while being more careful and cautious for his safety.

Team Dento-Facial Solutions

AHA Maxillo-Facial trauma and dental implant center

DFS Clinics