Facial fractures are broken bones anywhere on the face. This includes the nose, cheekbones, the area around the eyes, and the upper and lower jaw. Most of the time, they’re due to some kind of trauma to the face, like motor vehicle crashes, sporting injuries, falls, or fights. Sometimes, they happen because the bones in the face are weakened by a dental procedure or condition.

Symptoms of a Facial Fracture

• Broken nose (nasal fracture)
• Forehead fracture (frontal bone)
• Broken cheekbone / upper jaw (zygomatic maxillary fracture)
• Eye socket (orbital) fracture
• Broken jaw
• Mid-face (Le Fort fractures)

What causes facial fractures?

• High-impact accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.
• Sports injuries.
• Workplace accidents.
• Falls.
• Interpersonal trauma like fighting or domestic violence.

How Are Facial Fractures Diagnosed?

The physical examination and types of tests your doctor orders will depend on the type of injury you have.
Your doctor will examine your face for any signs of swelling and pain. They’ll also check for any changes in mobility (whether you’re able to move parts of your face). You’ll probably have X-rays taken. Most fractures will show up clearly on these tests.

What’s the Treatment?

This depends on your specific injury, how bad it is, and whether you have any other problems at the time. Your doctor’s goal will be to put the bones back into their natural position. This is called “reducing” the fracture. They’ll also want to keep the bones in place to prevent further injury. Doctors call this “fixing” the fracture.

You may need surgery. Or, your doctor may use plates, screws, wires, or other devices to repair your injury. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.