• Facial lacerations
• Intra-oral lacerations
• Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
• Fractured facial bones (cheek, nose, eye socket)
• Fractured jaws (upper and lower)

Injuries to the face not only cause physical trauma to a patient, but also a high level of emotional trauma. GPC therefore takes a balanced, caring approach to include physiological and psychological needs.

The science of treating facial injuries requires special training that combines hands on experience with an understanding of how treatment will affect the patient's long-term function and appearance. GPC is committed to making sure a patient's facial features are minimally affected, achieved by accessing facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary. Incisions that do become necessary are designed to be small and, whenever possible, situated so that any resulting scar is hidden.

Facial trauma can be caused by vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, acts of violence, and work-related injuries. Results range from injuries to teeth to extremely severe injuries of the skin and facial bones. Facial injuries are classified as soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (eyes, facial nerves or salivary glands).

When soft tissue injuries such as lacerations occur on the face, they are repaired by suturing, or stitches. In addition to providing a repair that will yields the best cosmetic result possible, GPC takes special care to diagnose and treat injuries to facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts (or outflow channels).

The specific form of treatment for a facial bone fracture is determined by factors such as location of the fracture, its severity, and the patient’s age and general health. Although facial bone fractures are treated in a similar manner to fractures of other bones of the body, a cast to stabilize the bone and allow for proper healing is not option; therefore, other treatments more suitable for these delicate bones are utilized.

One treatment involves wiring the jaw together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Other types of jaw fractures are best treated and stabilized rigid fixation of a fracture, which involves surgical placement of small plates and screws at the injured site. This technique profoundly improves the recovery period for many patients by allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.

The proper treatment of common facial injuries that involve teeth is now in the realm of dental specialists who are well versed in the emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation. Oral surgeons treat fractures in the supporting bone or replant teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. Splinting is a frequent treatment option that involves stabilizing through wiring or bonding teeth together. If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in salt water or milk. The tooth, however, should not be cleaned since the ligament remnants that hold the tooth in the jaw are vital in successfully replanting a tooth. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the socket, the better its chance for survival.

Other specialists such as an endodontist may be required to perform root canal therapy, or a restorative dentist may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are frequently used as replacements for missing teeth with long-term success.