Maxillary and Mandibular Fractures

What is Maxillary and Mandibular Fractures?

Fractures of the upper jaw are known as “maxilla”, and of the lower jaw are known as “mandible”. Maxillary and mandibular fractures are used interchangeably, as both of them refer to jaw fractures or facial fractures. The maxilla fracture includes a broken jaw, a broken nose, orbital bones or eye sockets, and any damage to other facial structure bones. Mandibular fracture is a medical emergency, and at the same time, it is a common occurrence. A jaw bone fracture is likely to block the airway. It has to be treated properly and in time, as it can make the face look disfigured. There is an attached risk of oral cavity, nasal cavity, and therefore, can be life-threatening too. Maxillary fractures account for approximately 6-25% of all facial fractures

Symptoms

The common symptoms of this disease include:

  • Jaw pain.
  • Face pain.
  • Pain in front side of the ear.
  • Excessive pain during jaw movement.
  • Swelling and bruises on the face.
  • Bleeding from the mouth.

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Causes

A mandible fracture can be a result of a direct trauma. It can affect the temporomandibular joint (the bone connected with the skull and assists in jaw movement). The major causes of this disease include:

  • Keeping his/her mouth open for long during dental procedures.
  • Excessive yawning.
  • Severe facial injury.
  • It can occur after a car accident, and the impact can be higher under conditions like midface hit on the steering.
  • Physical assault, sport accidents, or fall by the face.

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Risks

The main risk factors include:

  • Shock.
  • Injury to surrounding organs.
  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Rain damage or coma, and in worst cases, death.

 

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Prevention

You can save yourself from a likely injury by following certain steps. Prevent the disease from happening by:

  • Driving at a moderate speed.
  • Wearing a seatbelt while driving.
  • Following all the traffic rules wisely.

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How is it diagnosed?

At Medanta, following are the technologies used to diagnose the disease:

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How is it treated?

At Medanta, our doctor will prescribe you:

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  • Measured dose of antibiotics and painkillers

     Medicine is given prior to the operation which involves a surgical repair of the nerve cells. Antibiotics are also given to reduce the risk of infection, during and post-surgery. If a surgery is required, then your doctor will give preoperative antibiotics.

  • Surgery

    Different types of surgery are performed, including the manual repositioning of the dislocated segment. This is done with the help of surgical forceps. Sometimes, a fracture splint (plaster) is used to fix the broken bone. Splinting is avoidable, if the doctor does plating or open reduction in the bone. In plating, orthopedic bone plates are used to fix a fracture.

When do I contact the doctor?

Your recovery depends on the severity of your injury, and time of your treatment. The sooner, the better. 

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