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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Expert Forum)
Old fracture
Answered by
Michael H Kirsch, DDS - Oral Surgery, Maxillofacial, Wisdom Teeth, Bone Grafting, dental implants
Dr. Michael H. Kirsch
Caldwell - NJ
Questions in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery forum are answered by Dr. Michael H Kirsch. Topics covered include teeth extractions, wisdom teeth, dental implants, bone grafting, orthognathic surgery, facial bones realignment, facial trauma repair, jaw alignment, anesthesia, jaw cyst or tumor diagnosis, reconstructive jaw surgery, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and TMJ surgery.
Old fracture
by Fraser642, Jan 09, 2008 02:07PM
Having sustained a minor injury to my cheekbone a few years ago, I`ve felt very self-conscious about my appearance. After being seen by my doctor, it took two years to be referred to a specialist, given the tension in my face I`ve been experiencing. The specialist examined me and told me that the cheekbone had suffered a fracture (his precise words were a crack in the cheekbone ) and that X-rays wouldn`t have been very clear. The altered appearance of my face causes me distress and impacts on most areas of my life (there are certain jobs and relationships I will not pursue because I am so unhappy with my face) but I`ve been informed that the only way to fix it is by extensive maxillo-facial surgery - a controlled break and resetting of the cheekbone with a number of incisions to the face, and that the magnitude of the surgery and morbidity rates rather outweigh the benefits. Is there a successful track record with maxillo-facial surgical repair of the fractured cheekbone a few years down the line? Can any risk to the eye when breaking the bone be cancelled out by new satnav technology coupled with a preoperative CT scan so the surgeon knows exactly where to break for optimum repair? Also, how deep should the incisions be to access the bone, and what options are for subsequent scar removal/revision? Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael H Kirsch, DDS, Jan 10, 2008 09:03PM
, Jan 10, 2008 09:03PM
Yes, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons have a long history of successfully repairing this type of injury and improving the self image of patients.
CT scan, stereolithic models and model surgery is useful for complex reconstructions but not necessary in many cases.
Scars are often avoided by placing incisions in areas remote from the surgical site or hidden in skin creases.
Malar (cheek) implants are also routinely used to improve the appearance of the cheek bones.
The only possible way to completely answer your questions is to speak to an Oral and Maxillofacial or Facial Plastic Surgeon who can perform an examination and review your radiographs.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
CT scan, stereolithic models and model surgery is useful for complex reconstructions but not necessary in many cases.
Scars are often avoided by placing incisions in areas remote from the surgical site or hidden in skin creases.
Malar (cheek) implants are also routinely used to improve the appearance of the cheek bones.
The only possible way to completely answer your questions is to speak to an Oral and Maxillofacial or Facial Plastic Surgeon who can perform an examination and review your radiographs.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
