Facial Trauma — San Luis Obispo, CA
Care for facial and jaw injuries
Prompt evaluation and surgical repair of facial and jaw injuries by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. For a serious injury, go to the emergency room first.
Overview
What we treat
Facial trauma from a fall, a collision, or a sports injury can involve fractured facial bones, a broken jaw, soft-tissue lacerations, or teeth knocked loose or out.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is trained to repair the bones and soft tissues of the face and jaw and, just as importantly, to put the bite back the way it was.
An evaluation determines the extent of the injury and whether surgery is needed.
Urgent? Call 805-541-5611
Candidacy & Indications
Am I a Candidate for Facial Trauma Care?
Facial injuries should be assessed quickly. If you’ve had serious facial trauma, go to the emergency room first.
Reasons to be seen promptly:
- A fractured jaw or facial bone, or a blow or fall that injured the face.
- Sports or collision injuries to the jaw, or soft-tissue lacerations of the face or mouth.
- Teeth knocked loose or out by an injury.
Some injuries are urgent and some can wait for a scheduled visit. When in doubt, call, and we’ll help you figure out how quickly you need to be seen.
Dr. Janette’s Approach
Our approach to facial trauma
Dr. Janette’s Northwestern residency included facial trauma and reconstructive surgery, which is exactly what these injuries call for: an understanding of how the facial bones, the jaw joint, and the bite fit together.
Repairs are planned around your anatomy and, where imaging is needed, guided by 3D/CBCT scans. Fractures are stabilized so the bones and the bite heal in the right position.
Office Technology
The technology we use for facial trauma care
3D / CBCT imaging
Imaging that shows the facial bones and any fractures clearly.
Why it matters: it lets Dr. Janette plan the repair precisely, so the bones and your bite heal in the right position.
IV anesthesia, surgeon-administered
Anesthesia appropriate to the repair, with the surgical team monitoring you throughout.
Why it matters: the level of anesthesia matches how complex the injury is. Injuries treated in the hospital are done with the hospital’s anesthesia team.
What to Expect
How facial trauma treatment works in our office
Many facial injuries are diagnosed and treated in the hospital. Dr. Janette operates at French Hospital Medical Center. The steps below describe care that happens here in the practice.
Evaluation
We examine the injury and image the facial bones, including 3D/CBCT scans. Dr. Janette explains what he sees and the options, with a written estimate for planned care when the situation allows one.
Surgical repair, if needed
Fractures are stabilized and soft-tissue injuries repaired, planned around your anatomy and performed under appropriate anesthesia, with comfort monitored throughout.
Healing & follow-up
Recovery depends on the injury and the repair. Expect a soft diet and follow-up visits to confirm the bite and healing are on track. We coordinate any further dental or restorative care your injury needs.
Case Study
A recent case
Facial Trauma
A jaw fracture repaired, bite restored
[PROOF: a de-identified facial-trauma case (fracture, repair, restored bite). Bracketed until consent.]
Read the full case study →Recovery & Post-Op
Your first weeks after surgery
- Rest, with ice as directed and a soft or liquid diet in the early days.
- Take prescribed medication as directed and keep any repair sites clean as instructed.
- Swelling and bruising peak in the first few days, then ease.
- Follow-up visits confirm the bite and the healing are on track.
- These are general guides. Follow the specific post-op instructions Dr. Janette gives you.
When to call us
Call for difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won’t stop, a bite that suddenly feels off, numbness that doesn’t fade, or worsening swelling or fever. For a serious facial injury, go to the emergency room.
Cost & Insurance
Cost of facial trauma care
The cost of treating a facial injury depends on the injury and the repair. You get a written estimate as soon as the evaluation makes that possible.
Facial injuries often involve medical as well as dental benefits. When you’re treated in our office, we check your coverage, help you navigate your benefits, and give you a written estimate as early as the situation allows. Financing is available when needed.
Frequently Asked
Questions patients ask us about facial trauma
If the injury is serious, a possible fracture, heavy bleeding, or trouble with your bite, go to the emergency room. For lesser injuries, call and we’ll help you decide how soon to come in.
It can, which is why fractures are repaired to restore the bite, not just the bone. We check and confirm your bite as part of the repair.
No. You can contact us directly. For an urgent injury, the first step is usually the emergency room.
Facial trauma often falls under medical rather than dental benefits, and plans differ. We confirm your coverage for you and put costs in writing wherever the timeline allows.
Patient Experiences
In our patients’ words
“The staff and the doctor were kind, professional, and thorough. They discussed my situation and options thoroughly. I am grateful.”
“Dr. Janette displays a reassuring confidence but also makes you feel as though you’ve known him for years.”
Injured your face or jaw?
For a serious injury, go to the emergency room first. Otherwise, request a consultation and we’ll evaluate it and lay out the options.