Dr. Kaplan is an oral and maxillofacial specialist who is thoroughly qualified to repair facial injuries. He is proficient in emergency care, acute treatment, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation – not just for physical problems, but for emotional ones as well. Facial injuries, by their very nature, cause a high degree of emotional and physical trauma to patients. The science and art of treating these injuries requires special training that involves a “hands on” experience and an understanding of how the provided treatment will influence the patient’s long-term function and appearance.
Dr. Kaplan meets and exceeds today’s modern standards. He is trained, skilled, and uniquely qualified to manage and treat facial trauma. Additionally, he is Chairman of the Department of Surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center and is on staff at other local hospitals and he delivers emergency room coverage for facial injuries, which include the following conditions:
There are a number of possible causes of facial trauma, including motor vehicle accidents, accidental falls, interpersonal violence, sports injuries, and work-related injuries. Moreover, facial injuries can range in type from teeth injuries to severe injuries to the skin and bones of the face. Generally, facial injuries are classified as either soft tissue injuries (skin and gums), bone injuries (fractures), or injuries to special regions (such as the eyes, salivary glands, or facial nerves).
Soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations on skin or gums, are repaired by suturing. Dr. Kaplan is a well-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon and is skilled at diagnosing and treating all types of facial lacerations.
Facial bone fractures are treated similarly to fractures in other parts of the body. The specific form of treatment is determined by various factors, including the location of the fracture, the severity of the fracture, and the age and general health of the patient. When an arm or leg becomes fractured, a cast is typically applied to stabilize the bone in order to allow for proper healing. Since casts cannot be placed on the face, other methods have been developed to stabilize facial fractures.
One of these techniques involves wiring the jaws together for certain fractures of the upper and/or lower jaw. Other certain types of jaw fractures are best treated and stabilized by the surgical placement of small plates and screws at the affected site. This method of treatment can often allow for healing and eliminates the necessity of having the jaws wired together. This technique is referred to as “rigid fixation” of a fracture. The relatively recent development and utilization of rigid fixation has profoundly improved the recovery period for many patients, allowing them to return to normal function in a shorter amount of time.
The treatment of facial fractures should be executed in a thorough and predictable manner. More importantly, the patient’s facial appearance should be minimally affected by the treatment. Attempts to access the facial bones through the fewest incisions possible are always made. Furthermore, the necessary incisions are designed to be small and, whenever possible, are placed so that the resultant scar is hidden from sight.
All surgical services are available at both of our convenient locations.
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