Facial Trauma

An oral and maxillofacial specialist is thoroughly qualified to repair facial injuries. These professionals are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation – not just for physical reasons, but for emotional ones as well. Injuries to the face, by their very nature, impart a high degree of emotional as well as physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training involving a “hands on” experience and an understanding of how the treatment provided will influence the patient’s long-term function and appearance.

Dr. Kintz, Dr. Dingman and Dr. Bezak meet and exceed these modern standards. They are trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. They are on staff at local hospitals and deliver emergency room coverage for facial injuries, which include the following conditions:

The Nature of Maxillofacial Trauma

There are a number of 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 as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, facial nerves, or the salivary glands).

Soft Tissue Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region

When soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, occur on the face 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 (or outflow channels). Drs. Kintz, Dingman and Bezak are well-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons and are proficient at diagnosing and treating all types of facial lacerations.

Bone Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region

Fractures to the bones in the face are treated in a similar manner to fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, which include the location of the fracture, the 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 of these options involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Certain other types of fractures of the jaw are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the involved site. This technique of treatment can often allow for healing and eliminates the necessity of having the jaws wired together. This technique is called “rigid fixation” of a fracture. The relatively recent development and use of rigid fixation has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal function more quickly.

The treatment of facial fractures should be accomplished in a thorough and predictable manner. More 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 placed so that the resultant scar is hidden.

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 in treating fractures in the supporting bone, or in replanting teeth that have been displaced or knocked out. These types of injuries are treated by one of a number of forms of splinting (stabilizing by wiring or bonding teeth together). If a tooth is knocked out it should be placed in salt water or milk. The sooner the tooth is re-inserted 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/or restorative dentists, 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.

The proper treatment of facial injuries is now the realm of specialists who are well versed in emergency care, acute treatment, long-term reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the patient.

Oral Surgery Associates

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absolutely the best oral surgery experience anyone could ask for.

- Janet G

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Very friendly staff. I had Dr. Bezak and he was very personable and kind. He did a fantastic job with the surgery. I would recommend OSA to anyone.

- Keara V

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Confident, that is how I feel about this procedure. Prepping for an implant, and I am sure that will be a breeze. I hope to not need OSA again, but if I do, I will be confident that I will be taken care of.

- Michael H

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Dr. Kintz is amazing! My daughter first saw him 10yrs ago for 2 extractions at the age of 6yr. old. Last week she had all 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed. He has the best bed side manner and is so friendly. He put us both at ease and did a wonderful job. She was in quite a bit of pain the next day due to the depth of her top wisdom teeth, and who called me back after leaving a message with the emergency staff...... none other than Dr. Kintz himself. He goes above and beyond and you feel it from the first meeting. He is exceptional!!!!

- Stephanie S

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My father was the patient and was referred over to Dr.Kintz. I just wanted to let everyone at your office know what a great environment you have and how friendly everyone was. I also work in healthcare and unfortunately people hear more about the bad than the good. Huge thank you to everyone and especially Dr.Kintz for squeezing my father in to have the actual extractions done today.

- Ema C

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Dr. Kintz is the best! Very gentle, very patient, and super kind. I have had extractions and implants. I wouldn’t go to any other doctor.

- Noelle H

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Thank you to all of the staff at Oral Surgery Associates, you are all very informative, by answering any and all questions. You are understanding to the patient and their concerns and that life happens. I thank you all very much for everything. I will highly recommend you to anyone!

- Stephanie F

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DR. KINTZ IS THE GREATEST. HE IS SO GENTLE AND HAS GREAT BESIDE MANNER.

- Tiffani J

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My appointment was for a dental extraction, which was my initial preference versus undergoing root canal and crown procedures. But unbeknownst to me, the extraction was a high risk proposition due to my currently rather complex health condition. Yet, without objection or elaboration, two general dentists I had earlier consulted had independently asserted that the extraction was understandable and presently doable, but definitely should be performed by an oral surgeon. In later preparation for the extraction, however, Dr.Kintz immediately recognized certain risks associated with the extraction at this particular time, and after promptly conversing with the second dentist I had consulted, strongly advocated having a dental specialist (endodontist) perform an immediate root canal procedure as the best present action to be taken. He explained that doing the extraction now could possibly result in significant consequences that ought to be avoided if at all possible. I greatly appreciated Dr. Kintz's unhesitating professional and ethical assessment of this situation and the advice rendered in reversing my initial intentions. His recommendations were unequivocally endorsed and successfully performed the same day by a highly regarded dental specialist to whom I was referred.

- Ron N

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I would not think twice about having these guys help you out. They are great

- Wendy Y

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I was very impressed with the new office, since I have had appointments at the previous location in the past. The new building is so clean & modern! I love the décor and all the modern updates....it's very high tech. I have also been extremely happy with the care I have received from Dr. Dingman and his staff. The procedures relating to my extraction and implant were a bit anxiety inducing but I quickly found that there was no need to be anxious. Dr. Dingman made me feel very comfortable and I had little to no pain & no complications. My follow up appointments have been thorough, but at the same time, quick & easy. I appreciate all the staff at Oral Surgery Associates for all their help & care during my implant process & I love, love, LOVE the new office!

- Carrie W

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I was super impressed with the new office! So light & airy. The new building is so clean & modern!. I love that the reception area is very open now and there's no longer separation from the reception staff with the "government building type" glass window. The staff is very polite and I have always felt comfortable & well taken care of by the doctors & nurses. Having a tooth extracted and going through the implant process can be stressful. It was definitely made easier with the capable & polite staff and the great NEW facility.

- Carrie W

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