FACIAL SURGERY

Facial trauma surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are unique in that they are the only surgeons to hold undergraduate degrees in both Medicine and Dentistry. Our surgeons practice the full scope of cranio-facial trauma surgery including the immediate and delayed reconstruction of the forehead, orbits, nose, cheekbone, top and bottom jaw, and all of the supporting hard and soft tissue structures in and around the face.

Request appointment
Facial trauma reconstruction — cranio-facial

Quick answer about this procedure

QUICK ANSWER

Surgical reconstruction of fractures and soft-tissue injuries of the face — including the forehead, orbits, nose, cheekbone, upper and lower jaws — performed by surgeons with dual qualifications in medicine and dentistry.

Procedure
Facial fracture and soft-tissue reconstruction
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Duration
1–6 hrs depending on injury
Stay
Hospital, often inpatient
Recovery
2–8 weeks depending on injury

IS THIS FOR YOU?

Specialist facial trauma referral is appropriate when:

  • A facial bone fracture has been diagnosed on CT or x-ray
  • Soft-tissue facial injuries need specialist reconstructive technique
  • Orbital, midface, mandibular or panfacial fractures require fixation
  • Delayed reconstruction is needed after the acute injury has been managed
WHO PERFORMS THIS

The surgeons who perform this procedure

Both surgeons listed below perform this procedure at OMS Specialists. Each carries dual qualifications in medicine and dentistry plus Fellowship from the Royal Australasian or English College.

Mr Richard Cobb, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Richard Cobb

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBBS · MFDS(Eng) · MRCS(Eng) · DHMSA · FRCS(OMFS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
View full profile
Mr Ryan Smit, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Ryan Smit

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBChB · MRACDS(PDS) · FRACDS(OMS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
View full profile

RECOVERY TIMELINE

Recovery timeline

  • 1–5 days

    Hospital admission

    Inpatient admission for monitored recovery. Liquid or soft diet depending on the surgery, prescribed pain relief, and attention to dressings and any external sutures.

    Red flags · Difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, fever over 38.5°C, or changes in vision (orbital fractures).

  • 1–14 days

    Week 1–2

    Swelling settles progressively. Soft diet continues for jaw fractures. Most patients work from home in week 2 depending on the injury.

  • 4–8 weeks

    Week 4–8

    Return to desk-based work and dietary progression. Bone healing is largely complete by 6–8 weeks for most fracture patterns.

RISKS & HONESTY

Risks we discuss before consent

  • Altered sensation

    Numbness or altered sensation of the face can result from the original injury or from surgical access. Recovery is usually progressive but can be partial.

  • Aesthetic outcome and visible scarring

    Where external access is required, scars are placed in skin creases or hairlines wherever possible. We use facial plastic surgical techniques to optimise the cosmetic result.

  • Hardware retention or removal

    Titanium plates and screws are usually left in place permanently. Occasionally they need to be removed if they become symptomatic.

  • Persistent functional symptoms

    Some injuries result in long-term changes to bite, vision or facial sensation despite optimal surgical management. Realistic outcomes are discussed at consent.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Common questions about facial trauma surgery

Why see an OMFS surgeon for facial trauma?

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are unique in that they are the only surgeons to hold undergraduate degrees in both Medicine and Dentistry. Our surgeons practice the full scope of cranio-facial trauma surgery including the immediate and delayed reconstruction of the forehead, orbits, nose, cheekbone, top and bottom jaw, and all of the supporting hard and soft tissue structures in and around the face. This dual qualification means OMFS surgeons are particularly well placed to manage the combined skeletal and dental dimensions of facial injury.

What if my injury is being managed weeks or months after the accident?

Delayed reconstruction is a normal part of facial trauma care. Some fractures are best managed once acute swelling has settled, and some patients are referred to us weeks or months after their initial ED presentation. Our surgeons practice the full scope of immediate and delayed reconstruction.

Will I have visible scars?

Where external incisions are required, scars are placed in natural skin creases, hairlines or eyebrows wherever possible. Many facial fracture repairs are performed entirely through intra-oral or trans-conjunctival approaches that leave no visible external scar. We use facial plastic surgical techniques to optimise the cosmetic result.

RELATED PROCEDURES

Other procedures patients consider

START THE CONVERSATION

Three pathways to specialist care

DIRECT

Request an appointment

Online form. Our admin team will respond within one working day.

Request appointment

CLINICIANS

Refer a patient

For GPs, dentists and specialists. Secure referral portal with imaging upload.

Refer a patient

SPEAK DIRECTLY

Call (09) 477 0058

Mon to Fri, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Reception will route your call to the right person.

Call (09) 477 0058