Facial Trauma Melbourne

All OralMax Surgeons are highly trained and experienced in managing simple, severe and complex facial fractures. OralMax surgeons are all part of the facial trauma team at a State government-designated major Level One trauma centre. Our surgeons also treat players of several sporting clubs across Victoria.

OralMax surgeons manage and repair fractures involving:

• Mandible (broken lower jaw)
• Maxilla (broken upper jaw)
• Zygoma (broken cheek bone)
• Nasal bones
• Orbit (broken eye socket)
• Frontal bone (forehead).

Not all patients with broken facial bones require surgery. If the bones are “cracked” but not displaced, surgery may not be necessary and the bones should heal within 6 to 8 weeks.

Your surgeon will discuss your individual circumstances with you and provide recommendations regarding any medication and specific care to the area during the healing phase.

When the lower jaw breaks, surgery is usually required if the fracture lies between teeth, as this commonly results in discomfort and changes to the bite as well as increased risk of infection. Surgery is usually carried out within 72 hours, although this may vary depending on individual circumstances and presence of other injuries taking precedence. Following surgery, you will be provided with instructions regarding the type of diet you can have. This is usually a modified soft diet for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Nowadays, it is rare for patients to have their jaws wired together as part of their treatment.

Fractures involving other parts of the facial skeleton may be repaired 7 to 10 days after initial injury. This will be assessed on an individual basis and discussed during your consultation.

These procedures are carried out under general anaesthesia in a hospital. The average length of stay following this type of surgery is one night in hospital. However, this may vary depending on the extent and nature of injury and degree of surgical repair required, as well presence of any other injuries sustained during the trauma.