Facial Injuries/Reconstructive Surgery
TREATMENT FOR FACIAL INJURIES AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY IN KINGSTON, NY
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons routinely perform treatment for facial injuries. These highly trained professionals must be adept in emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation – not just for physical reasons but emotional sequelae as well. Surgeons such as Kingston practitioner Dr. Matthew Hilmi are rigorously trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. Injuries to the face impart emotional, as well as physical trauma to patients. Treating these injuries requires many years of advanced specialty training, far beyond basic dental school and the requisite internship, involving a hospital-based residency experience and an intricate understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient's long-term function and appearance. Many programs now require a formal medical education as part of the training process.
Dr. Matthew Hilmi is one of the few oral and maxillofacial surgeons to provide facial trauma repairs in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region. His skills were acquired at a Level 1 Trauma Center and perfected with more than 16 years of post-graduate private practice. He is one of only two oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Kingston, NY to have been formally credentialed to practice in a hospital setting in the Mid-Hudson area.
Dr. Matthew Hilmi admits and treats trauma patients routinely. The doctor has surgically treated and managed hundreds of complex facial trauma patients throughout his career. Dr. Matthew Hilmi is thoroughly versed in modern techniques used to treat facial injuries. The doctor's extensive advanced residency training qualifies him to perform reconstruction of these types of injuries. There is a multitude of situations that can lead to facial injuries. He is trained and uniquely qualified and credentialed to manage and treat facial injuries. As a credentialed surgical staff member, the doctor provides hospital emergency room on-call coverage for oral and maxillofacial injuries.
Mid-Hudson Oral and Maxillofacial Practice, PC, provides facial injury treatment and reconstructive surgery using the latest in proven care and performed by our well-established and skilled oral surgeon. We serve Kingston, New Paltz, Rhinebeck, and communities throughout the Hudson Valley and Tri-State area. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hilmi today and discover your options for reconstructive treatment.
FRACTURES INVOLVING FACIAL BONES
Fractures of the bones of the face are treated in a manner like fractures of other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, which include the location of the fracture, severity of the fracture, and the age and general health of the patient. When an arm or leg is fractured, a cast is often applied to stabilize the bone to allow for proper healing. Since a cast cannot be placed on the face, other means have been developed to stabilize facial fractures.
One treatment option involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and lower jaw. Certain other types of fractures of the jaws are best treated and stabilized by the placement of small plates and screws at the involved site of injury. This technique of treatment can often allow for healing and deletes the necessity of having the jaws wired together. The technique is called "rigid fixation" of a fracture. The relatively recent development and use of rigid fixation have greatly improved the recovery period for many of Dr. Matthew Hilmi's patients, allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.
The treatment of facial fractures should be accomplished in a well-planned and predictable manner. Most importantly, the patient's facial appearance should be minimally affected. An attempt at accessing the facial bones through the fewest incisions necessary is always made. At the same time, the incisions that become necessary are designed to be small and, whenever possible, are created in such a manner as to reduce scarring.
INJURIES TO THE TEETH AND ALVEOLAR STRUCTURES (SUPPORTING STRUCTURES)
Isolated injuries to teeth are not uncommon and may require the expertise of various dental specialists. Oral surgeons, such as Dr. Matthew Hilmi, usually are involved in treating fractures in the supporting bone or replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These types of injuries are treated by splinting (stabilization is achieved by wiring or bonding teeth together).
If a tooth is knocked out, it should be placed in water or milk. Minimal handling of the tooth structure is particularly important. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted into the dental socket, the greater the chance of long-term success. Therefore, the patient should see an 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 vital to the success of replanting the tooth.
Other dental specialists may be called upon, such as endodontists (root canal specialists), who may be asked to perform root canal therapy, and/or a general dentist to restore fractured teeth. If the tooth/teeth cannot be saved or repaired, dental implants placed by an oral surgeon are often utilized as replacements for missing teeth.
The proper treatment of oral and facial injuries is in the realm of specialists who are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the injured patient.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES OF THE FACIAL REGION
When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, occur on the face or in the mouth, they are repaired by suturing. In addition to the obvious concern of providing a repair that yields the best cosmetic result possible, care is taken to inspect for and treat injuries to structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts (outflow channels). Dr. Matthew Hilmi has treated hundreds of facial and oral lacerations during his career and is highly qualified at diagnosing and treating all types of facial lacerations.
CAUSES OF MAXILLOFACIAL TRAUMA
There are several possible causes of facial trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, sports injuries, interpersonal violence, and work-related injuries. Types of facial injuries can range from injuries to teeth to extremely severe injuries to the skin and bones of the face. Typically, facial injuries are classified either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries(fractures), or injuries to special regions (eyes, facial nerves, or salivary glands).
REASONS FOR REPAIR
Restoration of form and function are the major reasons that one would seek treatment for oral and maxillofacial injuries.
HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED FACIAL TRAUMA? CONTACT US TODAY!
Suffering a dental or facial injury can be a stressful enough experience without having concerns about the quality of your reconstructive treatment. Dr. Hilmi prioritizes compassion and a patient-first approach when resolving urgent oral and maxillofacial concerns. Our doctor has admitting privileges at all local hospitals and spares no effort to get patients back to living comfortably promptly. Serving local communities near Kingston, New Paltz, Rhinebeck, and areas throughout New York's Hudson Valley, we invite you to call Mid-Hudson Oral and Maxillofacial Practice, PC today and receive exceptional care.