Facial Trauma Treatment in Princeton and Flemington, NJ
Expert Care for Complex Facial Injuries
Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high degree of emotional as well as physical trauma. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training, a deep understanding of how the treatment will influence long-term function and appearance, and a compassionate approach. The board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons at West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery are trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat all aspects of facial trauma, from initial emergency care to long-term reconstruction.
Common Causes and Types of Facial Injuries
Our surgeons provide emergency room coverage at local hospitals for a wide range of facial injuries. These can result from motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, or work-related incidents. Facial injuries are typically classified as either soft tissue injuries, bone injuries, or injuries to special regions like the eyes or nerves. Our expertise covers:
- Facial lacerations (cuts to the skin)
- Intraoral lacerations (cuts inside the mouth)
- Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
- Fractured facial bones (cheek, nose, or eye socket)
- Fractured jaws (upper and lower jaw)
Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries
When lacerations occur on the face, they are carefully repaired by suturing. In addition to providing a repair that yields the best possible cosmetic result, our surgeons take great care to inspect for and treat any injuries to deeper structures, such as facial nerves and salivary glands, ensuring a comprehensive and meticulous treatment.
Treatment of Bone Injuries (Facial Fractures)
Fractures of the facial bones are treated in a manner similar to fractures in other parts of the body: the bones must be stabilized to allow for proper healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, our surgeons use other methods. In some cases, this may involve wiring the jaws together.
However, a more common technique called “rigid fixation” involves the surgical placement of small titanium plates and screws to hold the bones in place. This modern approach often allows for a much faster return to normal function. In every case, an attempt is made to access the bones through the fewest incisions necessary, placing them in inconspicuous locations whenever possible to minimize visible scarring.
Treatment of Dental Injuries
Isolated injuries to the teeth and their supporting structures are very common. Our oral surgeons are primarily involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or in replanting teeth that have been knocked out or displaced. These injuries are often stabilized by splinting (wiring or bonding teeth together). In cases where injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are an excellent option for replacement.
What to Do If a Tooth is Knocked Out
If a tooth is knocked out, you should pick it up without touching the root, gently rinse it with salt water or milk, and place it back into the socket if possible. If you cannot re-insert it, place it in a container of milk. Time is the most critical factor, so you should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, as remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw are vital to the success of replanting the tooth.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Facial Trauma and other procedures.
"Hi, I'm Adam, and I'm from Lambertville, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery for wisdom teeth removal and a gum graft. The staff was bubbly, energetic, and there to support you. The doctors here are absolutely amazing. They make you feel comfortable, always there to answer questions. Great bedside manners. My procedure went great for both of them. It was probably a day or two recovery, and I was back in action. My quality of life has definitely improved when I have a good smile, makes me more confident meeting other people. Overall experience here was great. I would a hundred percent recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Bill from Flemington, and I came to West Jersey Oral Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery for several extractions and dental implants. When I first came into the practice, it felt very welcoming, warm—people were very friendly. The staff here, very professional. The doctor was very empathetic, fully explained what was gonna happen, and during the procedures, actually kept me up to date on what he was doing. The procedures I had done, the extractions as well as the implants, went extremely well. My experience was nurturing, caring. To all my friends in Somerset County, Flemington, and Somerville, I highly recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I am Bill. I'm from Fort Good River and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for a dental implant. When I first walked into the practice, I was greeted very warmly. Everyone was very nice to me. The staff was very attentive, and my doctor was very informative, went over everything that he was going to do, made sure that I didn't have any questions, and that I was very comfortable. My procedure went very well. My quality of life has improved because I can actually chew as if it was my original tooth. My overall experience was very good. I would absolutely recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to anyone who is really interested in having a good outcome."
"Hi, I'm Gabby from Califon and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, I felt super at ease. There were lots of smiles and friendly faces. It was a great place to be. My doctor was super nice, and when he walked in the room, he introduced himself with the biggest smile on his face, and he told me about the procedure and just really put me at ease. The procedure went so well, and the recovery was easy and smooth. I'm so happy to have a healthy smile. To all my friends and family in Somerset County, Flemington and Somerville. I highly recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Jimmy from Lebanon Township and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, I felt at home. Everybody was welcoming, greeted me with smiles and good customer service. Everybody was charismatic and caring. My doctor was very professional, super friendly, and put me at ease before my procedure and answered any questions I had brought to him. My procedure went well. I had practically no time between me finishing my procedure and when I was able to get back to work. Having a healthy smile is really important to me. Out of five stars, I would rate this practice five stars. I would highly recommend people to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Kait from Madison, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for an implant. When I first walked in, I just felt incredibly welcome and at ease. The staff was really accommodating. My doctor is incredibly kind, very open-minded, and empathetic. My procedures went very well. After the procedures, I am very happy. I feel a lot more confident about my smile and ultimately just feel really happy that I have a care team that I know I can rely on. I would happily recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery to friends, family that just really put you at the front as the patient, and it's an excellent experience."
"Hi, I'm Karen from Readington. I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for a dental implant. When I first walked into the practice, I felt very comfortable. Everybody was welcoming, and they reassured me that everything was going to be fine. My doctor was very good. He explained everything to me, the procedure that was going to be done. He also just made sure I was comfortable. My procedure went very well. The overall experience of this practice was fantastic. It was very important to me to have a healthy smile. I would highly recommend this practice to anybody."
"Hi, I'm Lianna from Lambertville, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery for an extraction, bone graft, and dental implant. The staff is extremely friendly and comforting and made me feel at ease. My doctor was extremely careful and caring. He was very gentle and made sure that I was feeling comfortable. My procedures went very well, and recovery was very smooth. My overall experience with this practice was extremely positive. I would absolutely recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery. I felt very welcomed and comfortable going into the multiple surgeries that I was going to have."
"Hi. I am Luke from Phillipsburg, and I came to West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery for an extraction. The doctors here were great. They made me feel comfortable. They were easy to talk to, they're real friendly. My procedure went great. It was quick. It was easy, and the recovery was simple. My overall experience here was fantastic. To all my friends and family in Somerset County, Flemington and Somerville. I highly recommend West Jersey Oral, Maxillofacial, & Dental Implant Surgery."
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Consultation
The first step toward resolving your oral health concerns is a personal consultation with one of our board-certified oral surgeons. Contact our Princeton or Flemington office today to schedule your appointment with our expert team and experience our compassionate, patient-first approach to care.