Facial Trauma

The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon is a unique specialty that works in both the worlds of Medicine and Dentistry.  Most of our hospital activity involves the management of patients who have sustained serious facial trauma.  We are highly trained in soft tissue lacerations, and in repair of facial fractures involving the upper and lower jaws, nose, eye sockets, cheekbones, and the forehead.  Many of us in our specialty also perform extensive reconstructive surgery as well as facial cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Digney has been a member of the trauma team at Delray Medical Center since 1992. During that time he has managed countless facial fractures and injuries to the residents of our area. 

Injuries To The Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures

Isolated injuries to teeth are quite common and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons usually are involved when fractures in the supporting bone are a component of the injury. For most displaced or avulsed (knocked out) teeth, the General Dentist is usually the one who should see the patient first, as they are the most skilled in "bonding", which in some form is usually the initial treatment of choice.  These types of injuries are treated by one of a number of forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together), of which, bonding is usually the most effective.   If the patient is seen in a hospital emergency room setting, and if the patient does not have a general dentist, the Oral Surgeon may be called upon to wire the teeth in place as a temporary measure, until the patient can be seen by their Dentist.

If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in salt water or milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted back into the dental socket, the better chance it will survive. Therefore, the patient should see a Dentist or Oral Surgeon as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe the tooth off, since remnants of the ligament that hold the tooth in the jaw are attached and are vital to the success of replanting the tooth.

Other dental specialists may be called upon, such as Endodontists, who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and the General Dentist, who may need to repair or rebuild fractured teeth. In the event that injured teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants are often now utilized as replacements for missing teeth.