Facial Trauma

Supporting You Through Injury and Recovery

Injuries to the face can be both physically and emotionally overwhelming. Trauma may occur from accidents, falls, sports injuries, or other unexpected events and can affect the teeth, jaws, facial bones, and soft tissues. As a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Williams has extensive experience and years of hospital-based training to diagnose and treat the full range of facial injuries with a focus on restoring function, comfort, and appearance. Our practice consults facial trauma patients by doctor referral and through hospital facial trauma service call.

Types of Facial Trauma

The face is one of the most intricate areas of the body, with muscles, glands, nerves, and bones working in unity to support everyday activities like eating, speaking, and smiling. After an injury, it is essential to repair both form and function. Board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, like Dr. Williams, are uniquely trained to treat these injuries using a range of techniques tailored to the severity and location of the trauma, such as:

Soft Tissue Injuries

These include lacerations, cuts, or tears involving the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, or skin.

Treatment focuses on careful repair to minimize scarring and protect underlying structures such as nerves, tear ducts, and salivary glands.

Bone Fractures

Fractures may involve the nose, cheekbone (zygoma), orbit (eye socket), or the upper or lower jaw.

Treatment is tailored to the location and severity of the fracture.
Stabilization techniques may include plates, screws, wiring, or splints to restore normal alignment and function.

Dental and Oral Injuries

Teeth can be fractured, loosened, or completely displaced (avulsed).

Injuries to the supporting bone and gums are also common.
Prompt evaluation helps preserve teeth whenever possible and supports long-term dental health.

I knocked out my tooth, what should I do?

It is sometimes possible to successfully replant a permanent tooth that has been knocked out. However, immediate action is critical. A tooth must be replanted right away—or as quickly as possible—to have the best chance of surviving. If the tooth is not handled properly or too much time passes, replantation is unlikely to succeed. Seek emergency dental care immediately, but follow the steps below before you arrive at your dentist or local Emergency Room:

Most Common Dental Trauma

Handle the tooth only by the crown (the top part you normally see). Avoid touching the roots.
Examine the tooth to check for cracks or missing pieces on either the crown or the root. Share this information with your dentist, as damage can reduce the success of replantation.
Do not scrub, rub, or scrape the tooth, and do not wrap it in tissue or cloth. These actions can damage the root surface and reduce the chances of the tooth surviving.
Place the tooth in a container with whole milk or your own saliva. Avoid using tap water or holding the tooth under running water—this can harm the root cells needed for the tooth to reattach.

Collaborative Facial Trauma Care

If injuries involve the eyes, nose, or other facial structures, we coordinate care with ENT, ophthalmology, dentistry, and trauma specialists to ensure every aspect of your injury is addressed. Dr. Williams has hospital privileges at Prisma Health, Bon Secours Health System, and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. He is a member of the Prisma Facial Trauma call team.

Why Choose an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon for Facial Trauma?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive extensive hospital-based training in managing injuries involving the face, jaws, and mouth. This specialized expertise allows us to treat both the functional and aesthetic components of facial trauma with precision and care.