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OUR SURGICAL SPECIALISTS TREAT FACIAL TRAUMA WITH SENSITIVITY AND THE UTMOST SKILL

At Liberty Oral & Facial Surgery, we empathize with our patients in Post Falls, Idaho, and Spokane Valley, Washington, in that we are sensitive to the fact that injuries or trauma to the face can be particularly devastating. You can’t easily “hide” your face, and why should you feel that way? You deserve to put your confident face forward again and as quickly as possible.

Likewise, as specialists in surgical treatment to resolve trauma to the face, mouth, and jaws, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr Bryan McLelland, appreciate that healthy facial bone and tissues are vital to the basic functions, which support your overall wellbeing and quality of life. When injuries are addressed effectively, you no longer feel like your life has been put on “pause.”

Of course, the treatment techniques that we recommend are as varied as the types of trauma and injuries that can occur to the oral cavity and interconnected structures of the face and head. For instance, injuries to the teeth can occur due to contact with objects or people during sports. For this reason, the dentists that refer patients to us and partner with our surgeon may recommend custom mouthguards to protect the teeth and other oral tissues from damage among those patients who are competitive athletes. With advanced knowledge, experience, diagnostics, and treatment technologies, our surgical specialists are also in the best possible position to successfully “re-root” knocked-out or avulsed teeth or preserve teeth that are badly fractured or broken due to traumatic injuries.

Using precision techniques and technologies that account for your unique needs and anatomy, our doctors are also equipped to skillfully, promptly, and safely resolve a range of injuries not limited to:

  • Fractured upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible)
  • Cheekbone fractures
  • Fractures to the nasal bones
  • Breaks affecting the bones in the eye socket, palate
  • Lacerations or cuts that damage soft tissues

Fundamentally, trauma to the facial bones is treated similarly to how other types of broken bones are treated – with reducing or lining up the parts of the affected bones and then “fixating” or holding them in place. As the bones are fixated, they heal over time. Again, the specific details associated with treatment vary extensively from patient to patient due to factors such as the nature of the injury, its location, and the extent of the injury. Rest assured, though, that your procedure is in excellent hands with a team that specializes in surgical intervention, including complex oral and maxillofacial cases.

Idaho Oral & Facial Surgeon | Liberty Oral Surgery |

CAN DR. MCLELLAND HELP WITH MY INJURY?

Dr. Bryan McLelland has extensive skill and experience repairing facial trauma with reconstructive surgery. Meeting with Dr. McLelland to discuss your injury will allow us to determine the best course of action.

WHAT TYPES OF INJURIES HAS DR. MCLELLAND TREATED?

Some of the injuries Dr. McLelland has treated include:

  • Lacerations, both on your face and in your mouth
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Fractured bones, including the cheek, eye socket, and nose
  • Fractured jaws, both upper and lower
  • Fracture sinuses
  • Fractured mandible

Dr. McLelland’s advanced training has given him the knowledge he needs to determine the most appropriate treatment and the hands-on skill to perform that treatment. He also has an excellent eye for aesthetics and compassion for his patients who are feeling concerned about their appearance following a facial injury. Four years at Cook County Hospital in inner city Chicago gaining experience in the full range and scope of simple to complex facial injuries in unmatched.

Another issue that must be addressed when dealing with a facial injury is the possibility of damage to the many fragile nerves that lie just beneath the skin and control your facial movement, including your ability to smile and speak clearly. Dr. McLelland will take extra care to preserve your nerve function and will discuss any specific concerns with you regarding your care.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CAUSES OF FACIAL TRAUMA?

Serious facial trauma can happen out of the blue – a car accident, an injury while playing sports, a sudden fall, or an injury on the job can all lead to sudden and devastating injury. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, scarring or permanent disfiguration can be the result.

These types of accidents often involve insurance plans beyond your regular dental insurance. Personal injury protection and L&I may be involved to pay for your care. Dr. McLelland and the rest of his skilled team have experience working with different insurance plans. A member of our billing team will work with you to make sure that your care is billed appropriately. If you have questions, please contact our office.

WHAT ARE EMERGENCIES INVOLVING TEETH?

Any time a tooth is knocked loose or completely knocked out (a condition known as an avulsed tooth), you are dealing with a dental emergency. When dealt with quickly, an avulsed tooth can actually be re-implanted in its socket.

If you do happen to lose a tooth in this manner, gently collect the tooth (and avoid the temptation to wipe it off since this can dislodge delicate ligament remnants that can help successfully restore the tooth). Place the tooth in a container of salt water or milk and bring it with you to our office.

We’ll also perform an examination to make sure that the bone beneath your gums was not damaged in the injury that caused your tooth to come out. If we do find damage, we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan.

We welcome your questions and encourage you to call us at 509-922-2273 or schedule your appointment today.

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