|
See also trauma to the teeth
What sort of injuries do the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Department at Addenbrooke's treat?
Facial and oral injuries have a variety of causes including
accidents, sporting injuries, assault or self-harm.
Injuries can be medical or surgical emergencies or requests to
treat older injuries that could have improved cosmetic or functional
features.
In the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, we are used
to treating people who have had accidents, assaults or who have
self-harmed, and won't judge you on the causes of the injury just
help you get the best functional and aesthetic result.
I am worried that I will be scarred?
Facial injury can be distressing, especially in the short-term
when your face can be painful and swollen.
With high-quality care and treatment, and giving the body time
to heal itself, your appearance and function will improve considerably
and return towards normal.
How long will I have scars on my face?
Scars take 9-12 months to 'settle down'. They go through various
stages (according to their stage of healing) and become red, hard
and raised initially before becoming lighter in colour and softening
with time.
Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will be able to give you
a clearer idea of how much scarring you might be expected to have
and what the options might be in the short-long term.
I have some new cuts on my face, how will these be treated?
Usually, you will have treatment for new lacerations in Accident
and Emergency at Addenbrooke's.
Lacerations (cuts) on the face will be very carefully sutured
(stitched).
Any cuts to the skin will leave a scar but it might be a very
small one.
There is no such thing as invisible mending, however, we are
especially careful on the face because 'our face is our stage
to the world'. These sutures (stitches) will need to be removed
after 5-7 days, usually in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Outpatient Department.
You will be prescribed some antibiotic ointment to apply on the
stitched wound regularly. This is to be used on the wound 3- 4
times per day until the stitches are taken out.
Once the skin has healed, massaging 'bland' hand or face cream
over the area also helps soften the area sooner.
I have some older scars on my face from lacerations, can anything
be done to make them less obvious?
If, after 12 months, you are unhappy with the appearance of your
injuries then do discuss the possibility of further treatment
with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Will I need to have the stitches in my mouth taken out?
Usually oral and maxillofacial surgeons use dissolving sutures
(stitches) inside the mouth, which won't need to be removed.
What should I do if I have had stitches in my mouth?
If you have had any type of recent procedure in your mouth, particularly
after an injury or trauma, it is very important to keep your mouth
clean. This is to prevent infection and also for your own comfort.
We recommend warm salty or antiseptic mouthwashes 3-4 times a
day, as well as gentle brushing of the teeth and gums.
|
