Treating Oral and Facial Trauma
If you have experienced oral or facial trauma, Dr. Dustin J. Hopkin can repair fractures of the upper and lower jaws, cheeks, nose, eye sockets, and forehead. Our Salt Lake City, UT-area practice can also provide surgery for missing teeth, in addition to soft tissue injuries to the face. When you receive medical attention at Hopkin Oral Surgery, we will handle your needs in a safe and effective manner, providing the necessary treatment to ensure a positive outcome with natural-looking results. As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Hopkin has the skill, certifications, and experience necessary to deliver specialized care. He routinely handles emergency situations in-office, as well as in hospital settings. If you or a loved one has been injured, please contact our office online or call (801) 277-3942 so we can provide prompt care.
Common Types of Injuries
Most oral and facial injuries occur as a result of a sports injury, auto accident, altercation, or accident at home or on-the-job. When the injury occurs, knowing what to do in advance can help protect your facial features, save teeth, and prevent further injury from occurring. Oral and facial injuries can include:
- Broken jaws
- Cracked cheekbones
- Fractured eye sockets
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Facial lacerations
- Oral lacerations
If the patient injured is unconscious, dizzy, or nauseous as a result of the injury, it is likely that a concussion has occurred and you need to call 911 immediately. Dr. Hopkin receives referrals from local hospitals for broken jaws, cheekbones, and eye sockets regularly and may be able to handle your case.
Dental Trauma
In cases where a tooth has been knocked out, it is important to follow emergency protocol to help save it. Hold the tooth by the crown (avoid touching the roots) and try reinserting it back into the socket while applying mild pressure. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, or you have several broken pieces, place the tooth or broken pieces in a jar with saltwater or milk and contact our office immediately. The sooner the tooth can be inserted, the greater chances it has of surviving.
Depending on the severity of the injury, Dr. Hopkin will try to secure the tooth back into the socket. If the tooth is irreparable, he can replace missing teeth with dental implants.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can include both facial and intraoral lacerations, such as a severely bitten tongue, sliced lip, or puncture wounds from a dog bite. Dr. Hopkin will first examine whether any nerves, salivary glands, or salivary ducts are injured, as well as begin planning how to achieve optimal aesthetic results. Knowing if any underlying structures have been damaged can also prevent further injury from developing. He will then use precise methods to close cuts, applying necessary sutures and bandages to facilitate the healing process.
Facial Trauma
Just as with any other type of bone break, when a fracture to the face occurs, it will need to be immediately stabilized. The type of stabilization will determine the location of the injury, but in most cases involves rigid fixation. This typically involves using small plates, screws, or wires to restrict movement in order to promote faster healing.
Dr. Hopkin can treat fractures to the cheek, nose, eye socket, and upper and lower jaw. Once the injury occurs, contact our office immediately so we can assess the extent of damage. During routine x-rays, Dr. Hopkin will determine the best course of treatment to not only help the area heal, but limit the amount of scarring and aesthetic impact to your facial features.
Contact Our Office
If you have recently experienced an oral or facial injury, please contact our office online or by calling (801) 277-3942. We strive to provide immediate care and attention to each patient.
