Areas of practice
Maxillofacial Trauma
Treatment of injuries and fractures of the facial bones and soft tissues, and of their consequences.
Overview
Maxillofacial injuries include fractures of the lower and upper jaw, cheekbones, nose and eye socket, as well as soft-tissue injuries.
Acute injuries are treated as emergencies in hospital. A planned consultation is appropriate for follow-up or for the after-effects of older injuries.
Topics in this area
Broken Jaw — Mandible Fracture
Symptoms, emergency steps and treatment for a broken lower jaw, and follow-up afterwards.
Cheekbone and Eye Socket Fractures
Symptoms, emergency steps and treatment for fractures of the cheekbone (zygomatic bone) and eye socket.
Broken Nose — Nasal Fracture
Symptoms, when to seek help and options for early or later correction of a broken nose.
Who may need an evaluation
- Follow-up after treatment of a facial fracture.
- Altered bite, asymmetry or limited mouth opening after injury.
- Scars and deformities after facial injuries.
What the consultation may include
- A discussion of how the injury happened and treatment received so far.
- A clinical examination and assessment of function.
- Review of imaging and assessment of whether further treatment is needed.
What to bring
- An identity document and, where applicable, a referral from your GP or specialist.
- Existing medical records: discharge summaries, outpatient notes and test results.
- Imaging studies (X-rays, CT, MRI) on a disc or other digital medium, together with the written reports.
- A list of your current medicines, known allergies and chronic conditions.
Treatment planning principles
- In acute injury, breathing, bleeding and the patient’s overall condition come first.
- The aim of treatment is to restore function — bite, chewing, vision, breathing — and facial contour.
Risks, alternatives and individual variation
The outcome after injury depends on its severity, on the time to treatment and on individual healing.
Every surgical procedure carries general risks — for example those related to anaesthesia, bleeding, infection, delayed healing or scarring. The specific risks depend on your health, and on the type and extent of the procedure.
Possible alternatives — including observation, non-surgical treatment or referral to another specialist — are discussed openly during the consultation.
Outcomes and recovery time vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after an acute facial injury?
Seek emergency medical help immediately by calling 112 or going to the nearest emergency department. This website is not an emergency service.
Can the after-effects of an old injury be corrected?
In some cases, yes. The options depend on the nature of the after-effects and are assessed after examination and imaging.
This information does not replace a medical examination. Whether a treatment is suitable for you, and who will perform it, is determined after an individual consultation.