Accidents are an unfortunate fact of life. Whether you’re playing your favorite sport, navigating your way through traffic, or just having a good time with the kids, there is always the small chance that you may suffer a facial trauma. If one of these frightening and painful incidents ever befalls you, you may need to visit your oral surgeon in Marietta, OH so you can get your smile on the road to recovery.
How an Oral Surgeon Can Help
After an accident, your first stop may be the local emergency room. The doctors there can offer high-quality primary care for your injury, manage any bleeding, and offer medications to relieve your pain. However, ER doctors have not spent years studying the mouth and facial structures. Oral surgeons, on the other hand, are specialists who have devoted much time into learning how the mouth and the bones and tissue around it function and interact with each other.
Your Marietta, OH oral surgeon can treat a wide range of facial injuries, including:
- Broken bones in the cheeks, jaw, or nose
- Soft tissue injuries
- Tooth trauma, including knocked-out teeth
If you are ever unsure if your oral surgeon or the local ER should be your first stop after an accident, call our office right away and describe the situation. We’ll advise you of your next steps so you can get to feeling better as soon as possible.
When you visit your oral surgeon for treatment, they’ll do their best to explain the treatment you need and make sure you are comfortable both during and after your procedure.
Aesthetics Matter Too
Your face is the first thing other people notice about you, and you don’t want unnecessary scars or missing teeth to mar your appearance. A skilled oral surgeon will do everything possible to minimize your accident’s long-term effects on the way you look. They may be able to:
- Reattach or replace lost teeth
- Stitch up soft tissue wounds in a way that minimizes scaring
- Treat bone fractures in a way that reduces the chances that your face’s shape will change
Long-Term Outlook After Facial Trauma
After your initial treatment for your facial trauma, it is important that you follow your oral surgeon’s directions. You may have to be extra careful around the wound site for a while, but the long-term benefits of complying with your surgeon’s directions will be worth it. It’s also important that you attend any recommended follow-up appointments so your team of doctors, both medical and dental, can work together to promote your long-term well-being.
Seeking prompt treatment after you suffer a facial trauma is important! Your oral surgeon may be able to help you manage your pain, heal quickly, and suffer minimal aesthetic consequences after your accident.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Lee is a dentist who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. His extensive training and experience equip him to handle a range of facial trauma cases. If you have recently suffered an accident and would like to find out if Dr. Lee can help, contact our Marietta office at 740-236-9392.