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 Alan from Califon, and I came for an extraction. When I walked into this practice, they made me feel so comfortable. They are really good people. They are very friendly. My doctor is one of the best doctors I have ever hoped for. Not just the expertise, he's a good human being. He's knowledgeable and he cares genuinely. The procedure went perfectly, and the recovery was very quick. I feel much better. It's just such a big difference. My overall experience has been very positive. To all my friends and family in Princeton Hillbar, I highly recommend West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"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 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'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 Gen from Normandy Beach. I came to West Jersey Oral Maxillofacial and Dental Implant Surgery for dental implants. How I felt when I first walked into this practice was a sense of trust. I had a lot of trust in the doctors and their capabilities. My overall experience has been great. I got a call after the procedure was done to make sure that things were going well and I had an easy recovery. I'm always impressed with how my implant is so rock solid. It's so important to have a healthy smile. It gives you a lot of confidence. I highly recommend West Jersey Oral Maxillofacial and Dental Implant Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Izumi from Flemington. I came to this practice for an implant. People here are very welcoming and make me feel at ease. My doctor, from the beginning, he was very calm and able to answer any questions that I had. My procedure was quite easy. It was much better than what I expected. Having a healthy smile is very important for my professional life. My overall experience is great. Way more than what I expected. Everything went smooth. I felt really great about all the procedures that I went through here. I definitely recommend West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"Hi, I'm Jacob from Holland Township, and I came to West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons to have my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, the people here gave off a wonderful, welcoming vibe. They're friendly, and they knew exactly what they were doing. My doctor was great, and I knew I was in great hands. They gave me all the information that I needed, and I felt completely comfortable. The procedure went fantastic. The recovery went well, too. Having a healthy smile means everything; it's very important. Overall, my experience with this practice was amazing. They really took care of me, and I knew I was in safe hands. I would recommend West Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. They did a professional and wonderful job."
"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."
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.