Facial injuries happen in an instant — a car accident, a sports collision, a fall, or a workplace injury. When they happen to you or someone you love, knowing what to do in those first critical minutes and hours can mean the difference between a fast, complete recovery and a more complicated outcome.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the specialists most specifically trained to treat facial trauma — from knocked-out teeth to jaw fractures. Here's what you need to know.
## Is This an Emergency? Call 911 If:
Some facial injuries require immediate emergency services. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room without delay if the person has:
- **Difficulty breathing** — swelling, blood, or foreign objects obstructing the airway
- **Uncontrolled bleeding** that doesn't slow with firm pressure
- **Loss of consciousness**, confusion, or suspected head injury
- **Severe neck pain** — possible cervical spine injury
- **Facial bones displaced in a way that affects breathing or swallowing**
These situations require emergency department intervention first. Once the patient is stabilized, our surgeons can coordinate care for facial fracture repair.
## For Dental Emergencies: Call Our Office Directly
For dental trauma and injuries that don't involve airway compromise or loss of consciousness, calling an oral surgeon directly is often the fastest path to appropriate treatment.
If a permanent tooth has been knocked out: 1. Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (the white part), not the root 2. Do not scrub or wipe the root — rinse it gently with water only 3. If possible, gently reinsert it into the socket and have the patient bite down on a clean cloth to hold it in place 4. If reinsertion isn't possible, place the tooth in milk (not water) or between the patient's cheek and gum 5. Call us immediately at (317) 876-1095 — replantation success drops significantly after 30–60 minutes
If a tooth is broken or chipped:
- Save any fragments if possible
- Rinse the mouth with warm water
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Call our office for a same-day or next-day evaluation
## What We Treat for Facial Trauma
Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specifically trained in the full spectrum of facial injury:
Jaw fractures (mandibular and midface) — We assess fracture type and location using CT imaging and determine whether treatment requires closed reduction (conservative management) or surgical repair with titanium plates and screws. Most jaw fractures are repairable through small incisions without visible scarring.
Fractured cheekbones and orbital rims — These injuries often require surgical reduction to restore facial contour and protect vision. We coordinate with ophthalmologists for complex orbital injuries.
Dental trauma — Fractured, displaced, avulsed (knocked out), or intruded teeth require prompt evaluation and management to maximize the chance of saving them.
Facial lacerations — Soft tissue injuries to the face are repaired with careful attention to anatomical landmarks and cosmetic outcomes. Early, layered closure by an experienced surgeon produces the best aesthetic results.
Sports injuries — Mouthguards prevent many sports-related injuries, but when injuries do occur, our surgeons have specific experience treating athletes quickly and getting them back on the field.
## Hospital Privileges for Complex Cases
Our surgeons hold privileges at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, allowing us to treat complex facial trauma cases in a full hospital setting with access to other specialists — anesthesiology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology — when needed. For injuries that begin in the emergency department, we can be called to consult and take over facial reconstruction once the patient is stabilized.
## What to Expect During Treatment
For most facial trauma cases that reach our office:
1. Imaging — We'll take cone beam CT or panoramic imaging to precisely characterize the injury 2. Evaluation — A thorough examination of facial bones, soft tissue, teeth, and bite function 3. Treatment plan discussion — We explain exactly what needs to be done, what the procedure involves, and what recovery looks like 4. Timely treatment — Many injuries require prompt repair; we prioritize urgent cases
## After Treatment
Recovery from facial trauma surgery varies by injury type and severity. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how little pain the surgical repair itself causes — because the fracture is stabilized, the ongoing pain of the injury often improves immediately. Soft tissue heals quickly on the face due to excellent blood supply. Bone fractures take 6–8 weeks to fully heal.
## Reconstructive Care After Facial Trauma
Not all facial trauma care is acute emergency treatment. Some patients come to us weeks or months after an injury with concerns including:
- **Delayed or inadequately treated fractures** that have partially healed in a misaligned position
- **Facial asymmetry** resulting from earlier trauma
- **Scarring from lacerations** that requires revision
- **Dental trauma** — avulsed, fractured, or damaged teeth that need evaluation for implant replacement
- **Post-traumatic pain or altered sensation** from nerve involvement during a fracture
Our surgeons provide both acute and reconstructive care, and we can consult on cases where prior trauma treatment was incomplete or complications have developed.
## Preventing Future Injuries
For athletes and active patients, the most effective prevention tool is a properly fitted custom athletic mouthguard. Custom-made mouthguards fit precisely over your teeth and provide far superior protection compared to over-the-counter boil-and-bite options. Ask our team about having a mouthguard fabricated — this is especially important for contact sports including football, hockey, basketball, martial arts, and soccer.
If you or someone you care about has sustained a facial injury, call Oral Surgeons of Indiana at (317) 876-1095 immediately. For urgent situations, we make every effort to see patients the same day. Request an appointment online for non-urgent consultations.
Learn more about facial trauma treatment, oral pathology and biopsy, and tooth extraction at our Indianapolis practice.