- What Is a Facial Trauma?
- How Do You Treat Dental Injuries?
- What Causes Dental Trauma?
- When Does Facial Trauma Need to be Treated?
- What Are the Benefits of Facial Trauma Repair?
- The Oral Surgery Center Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Prompt Care for Facial and Dental Trauma
- Get In Touch
What Is a Facial Trauma?
Facial trauma refers to any injury involving the bones, teeth, or soft tissues of the face. Types of dental trauma include broken jaws, facial fractures, knocked-out or damaged teeth, and lacerations to the gums, lips, or cheeks. These injuries often involve both function and appearance, which means treatment must be approached with precision and a deep understanding of the facial structure. At The Oral Surgery Center, Dr. Justin L. Drab provides experienced, focused care for patients who need urgent attention or reconstructive treatment after dental or facial trauma. Our Greensboro, NC oral surgery practice is equipped to respond quickly, evaluate complex injuries, and help restore both form and function with sensitivity and expertise. If you've suffered from a facial injury — even if you aren't in pain — we urge you to schedule a consultation as soon as possible to learn if you're a candidate for dental trauma repair.
How Do You Treat Dental Injuries?
Every trauma case is unique, and your exact procedure will depend on the nature and severity of the injury. We'll begin with a full clinical evaluation and imaging to determine the extent of the damage. For broken bones or jaw fractures, Dr. Drab may need to perform surgery to realign the bone and stabilize it with small plates or screws. If teeth have been dislodged, knocked out (avulsed), or broken, we'll assess whether they can be repositioned, stabilized, or restored. A tooth that has been knocked out can sometimes be saved if treated quickly. We may splint it to adjacent teeth to hold it in place while healing begins, or coordinate with your dentist for a long-term solution such as an implant or bridge.
Soft tissue injuries to the lips, gums, or cheeks are carefully cleaned and sutured to encourage healing and reduce the risk of scarring. We pay close attention to the placement of sutures along natural lines of the face and mouth, especially in highly visible areas. In all cases, we focus on both the medical repair and the aesthetic outcome for your smile.
What Causes Dental Trauma?
Facial trauma can result from a variety of causes, including car accidents, sports injuries, falls, physical assaults, or other unexpected incidents. In some cases, facial injuries may also occur as a result of work-related accidents or recreational activities. The extent and type of trauma can vary widely, from minor soft tissue injuries to complex fractures involving multiple areas of the face. Regardless of the cause, it’s essential to seek prompt evaluation and treatment to prevent complications and ensure optimal healing.
When Does Facial Trauma Need to be Treated?
Facial trauma should be treated as soon as possible anytime there is significant pain, swelling, bleeding, difficulty chewing, trouble opening the mouth, or visible changes to the facial structure. Injuries involving the jaw, teeth, cheekbones, or surrounding soft tissue may lead to long-term complications if treatment is delayed, especially when fractures or damaged teeth are involved. In many cases, prompt care for facial trauma treatment, jaw fracture repair, and oral surgery for facial injuries can help restore function, protect oral health, and support proper healing after an accident, sports injury, or fall. At The Oral Surgery Center, our team carefully evaluates facial injuries to determine the most appropriate treatment approach while prioritizing comfort, function, and recovery.
What Are the Benefits of Facial Trauma Repair?
Even injuries that seem minor at first can lead to long-term complications if left untreated — for example, a chipped tooth may cause nerve damage, while a jaw fracture might interfere with breathing or chewing. That is why it is so important to be evaluated promptly by someone trained to manage these issues in both emergency and reconstructive settings. The benefits of facial trauma repair at our Greensboro, NC practice include:
- Stabilizes broken bones and supports proper healing of the facial structure
- Repairs soft tissue injuries with attention to long-term appearance
- Increases the likelihood of saving or restoring damaged teeth
- Reduces the risk of infection, scarring, or long-term oral health issues
- Helps restore normal function, including chewing, speaking, and breathing
- Provides immediate care with long-term planning and coordination when needed
The Oral Surgery Center Reviews
Staff and Dr Drab effective and efficient. Answered my questions and good outcome from surgery, timely appts.
Excellent care. Lovely people.
Dr. Drab and his staff were so kind to me when I had my tooth extracted. They made sure my husband was equipped with all the knowledge and resources needed to care for me at home. I would definitely return to this office for my oral surgery needs. I would highly recommend Dr. Drab to anyone.
This is the best choice for oral surgery in Greensboro. Dr. Drab and his entire staff are pleasant, very caring and professional. Rae is a wonderful nurse and the billing front office team are great too. My family has had more than 6 procedures here and this review is applicable to every single visit. I've had to call with complications and they handled that efficiently and with no wait.
Great experience
322
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’ve knocked out a tooth?
If a tooth has been knocked out, try to keep it moist and avoid touching the root. Place the tooth in milk, a saline solution, or hold it in your mouth if possible, and seek immediate care. Dr. Drab will assess whether the tooth can be repositioned and stabilized or if a long-term solution, like an implant, is necessary.
How quickly should I seek treatment for a facial injury?
Facial injuries should be evaluated as soon as possible, even if you are not in pain. Timely treatment increases the likelihood of saving the tooth, reducing complications, and achieving the best results. Our team at The Oral Surgery Center is equipped to provide urgent care and address injuries promptly.
What happens if I delay treatment for my facial trauma?
Delaying treatment can lead to complications such as infection, improper healing, or long-term functional and aesthetic issues. Soft tissue injuries may scar, and untreated fractures can affect jaw alignment and facial symmetry. Our staff in Greensboro, NC, strongly encourages scheduling an evaluation as soon as possible for the best outcome.
Prompt Care for Facial and Dental Trauma
Injuries to the face can be overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate treatment alone. Dr. Drab provides skilled, attentive care for patients who have experienced facial trauma, with a focus on safety, clarity, and long-term results. If you or someone in your family needs urgent evaluation or follow-up care after an injury, The Oral Surgery Center is ready to help. We care for patients throughout the Greensboro, NC area and can guide you through the steps needed to recover fully and move forward with confidence.