What is facial trauma?
Facial trauma care covers injuries to the teeth, soft tissues, and bones of the face — including avulsed (knocked-out) teeth, dental and dentoalveolar injuries, lacerations of the lips, cheeks, and tongue, and fractures of the upper and lower jaws. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the specialists trained to evaluate and treat these injuries, often in-office for less complex cases and at the hospital when surgical fixation is required.
Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. The best chance of saving it is to reimplant it within an hour.
If you can, gently rinse the tooth (handle the crown, not the root), reinsert it into the socket, and bite on a soft cloth to hold it in place. If reimplantation isn’t possible, place the tooth in milk, saliva, or a tooth-preservation solution and call us immediately at (805) 372-2342.
Dental and dentoalveolar injuries
Chipped, cracked, displaced, or pushed-in teeth need prompt evaluation. We can splint loose teeth, reposition displaced teeth, and coordinate with your general dentist or endodontist for any restorative work needed afterward.
Soft-tissue lacerations
Cuts to the lips, cheeks, tongue, and inside of the mouth heal best when repaired by someone with experience in facial soft-tissue. We use careful suturing technique to minimize scarring and restore both function and appearance.
Jaw fractures
Mandibular and maxillary fractures often require surgical fixation with small titanium plates. We perform these procedures in our surgical suite for less complex cases and at the hospital for more involved fractures, working with anesthesia and surgical teams as needed.
Common questions
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?
Reimplant it gently into the socket if possible. If not, store it in milk and call us immediately. Time is the most important factor.
Should I go to the ER first?
For severe injuries, head trauma, loss of consciousness, or significant bleeding, yes — go to the ER. For isolated dental and facial injuries, we’re often the right first call.