01Step 1/3
The fracture
A blow breaks the body of the jaw between the teeth. If the fragments shift, a step appears and the bite no longer fits.
- 1Fracture line
- 2Step between the fragments
- 3Teeth
- 4Condyle
ProceduresTrauma · Maxillofacial surgery
Injuries to the mouth
and facial fractures
A tooth that is knocked out, broken or loosened, or a blow that breaks the jaw, the cheekbone or the eye socket: acting in the first minutes, with the right specialist, changes the outcome.
- Knocked-out tooth
- The first 60 minutes count
- Fractures
- Surgery in hospital
- Fixation
- Titanium miniplates and screws
- Jaw
- About 6 weeks to heal, approx.
Approximate values: every case is different and your plan confirms them at the consultation.
What does maxillofacial trauma cover?
It ranges from dental injuries—teeth that are fractured, displaced or knocked out—to fractures of the facial bones: jaw, upper jaw, cheekbone, nose and eye socket. The most common causes are falls, road accidents, sports and assaults.
Displaced fractures are treated with surgery: the fragments are put back in place and fixed with titanium miniplates and screws. That way the bite returns to its position and the bone heals without shifting. When trauma, a cyst or a tumour leaves a bone defect, facial reconstruction restores it with grafts or custom-designed implants.
Dr. Rodríguez is a maxillofacial surgeon at the Trauma Hospital of Costa Rica's National Insurance Institute (INS) and was chief resident at the «Victorio de la Fuente Narváez» Trauma Hospital (IMSS) in Mexico City.
First aid: a knocked-out tooth
- 01Hold it by the crownthe white part; do not touch the root.
- 02If it is dirty, rinse it for a few secondsin milk, saline or saliva, without scrubbing.
- 03Try to put it back in placeand bite gently on a handkerchief; if you cannot, keep it in milk.
- 04Get care immediatelyideally within the first hour.
Baby teeth are not put back in: keep the tooth and see us anyway.
How it works
A jaw fracture, in three steps
02Step 2/3
Reduction and fixation
In the operating room the fragments are put back in place and fixed with titanium miniplates and screws, often from inside the mouth.
- 1Titanium miniplate
- 2Screws
- 3Fragments in place
03Step 3/3
About six weeks later
The bone heals in the right shape and the bite fits again. The plates usually stay for good and are not noticeable.
- 1Healed bone
- 2The plates stay
- 3The bite, in place
Options
From the tooth to the facial bones.
- 01Knocked-out tooth
Replantation and splint
The tooth is repositioned and joined to its neighbours with a flexible splint for about two weeks; the tooth's nerve is then monitored.
- 02Fractured or displaced tooth
Repositioning and restoration
Depending on the fracture, the tooth is repositioned, splinted or restored; sometimes it needs a root canal.
- 03Jaw, upper jaw, cheekbone, eye socket
Reduction and fixation
In the operating room the fragments are put back and fixed with titanium miniplates, often from inside the mouth.
- 04Bone defects
Facial reconstruction
Bone grafts or custom implants, planned on a CT scan, to restore what was lost.
Step by step
From the emergency to healing.
- 01EmergencyStabilise and diagnose
Examination, pain control and a CT scan to see every fracture line.
- 02Hours–daysSurgery
Reduction and fixation with plates, under general anesthesia in hospital.
- 03Weeks 1–6Soft diet
The bone heals: soft food, no forceful chewing.
- 04Week 6 onwardCheck-ups
Review of the bite, mouth opening and sensation.
After a jaw fracture
What to expect
- Days 1–3
Swelling and discomfort peak; cold packs and head raised.
- Weeks 1–2
Discomfort eases; liquid or soft diet.
- Weeks 2–6
Soft diet without forceful chewing; careful hygiene.
- Week 6+
The jaw has usually healed; gradual return to a normal diet.
Do not wait
When to seek care promptly
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Double vision after a blow to the face
- The bite does not close as before
Frequently asked
What patients ask before deciding.
Hold it by the crown, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or saline if it is dirty and try to put it back. If you cannot, keep it in milk and get care immediately—ideally within the first hour.
Often, yes—especially if it is replanted quickly or kept in milk. After 60 minutes dry, the outlook drops sharply.
Pain when biting, a bite that no longer fits, difficulty opening the mouth, numbness of the lip or chin and swelling. A CT scan confirms it.
No. Fractures that are not displaced sometimes only need a soft diet and check-ups. Displaced ones are operated on so the bone heals in place.
They usually stay for good and are not noticeable; they are only removed if they cause discomfort.
About six weeks for the bone to heal, with a soft diet during that time. Full recovery can take a little longer.
Next step
Book your consultation.
One visit to review your case with imaging and leave with a clear plan: procedure, time and recovery.