Facial fractures Flashcards
What are some clinical signs of a mandibular fracture? (5)
- Change in bite (occlusal change)
- Trismus (restricted mouth opening)
- Mobility
- Numbness of lower lip
- Sublingual haematoma (blood seen under tongue)
What is a simple fracture?
Closed fracture
No communication with an external surface
What is a greenstick fracture?
Partial fracture in children
Name 6 types of fractures
- Simple (closed)
- Compound (open)
- Comminuted
- Complicated
- Greenstick
- Pathological
What are the 2 golden rules of taking radiographs when assessing facial fractures?
- Always take 2 views at different angles (ideally 90 degree)
- Always image the whole mandible to assess for secondary fractures
Eg take a PA and DPT
What is a complicated fracture?
A fracture that involves an important structure (eg artery)
What is a Comminuted fracture?
Fracture with multiple fragments
(sounds like community so there are multiple fractures like multiple people in a community)
What are the potential sites for mandibular fractures?
- Condylar process
- Ramus of mandible
- Angle of mandible
- Body of mandible
- Coronoid notch
- Symphysis
- Parasymphysis
What are potential causes of maxillofacial fractures?
- Road traffic accident
- Assault
- Sports
- Falls
- Dentistry
- Pathological
What are some symptoms of a mandibular fracture?
- Pain and swelling
- Numbness of lower lip
- Dysphagia
- Abnormal bite
- Intraoral bleeding
What are favourable and unfavourable mandibular fractures?
Favourable
Muscles pull fracture together
Unfavourable
Muscles pull fracture apart
What is a compound fracture?
Open fracture
Communication with skin, mucosa or periodontal ligament
What are the treatment options for a mandibular fracture?
- Reduction - re-aligning fractured bone, either closed (no surgical incison) or open (surgical)
- Fixation (direct or indirect)
- Immobilisation
- Rehabilitation - soft diet, jaw exercises, elastics, occlusal adjustments
