Facial Trauma in Ann Arbor, MI
Specialized Facial Trauma & Emergency Surgical Care
Facial trauma involves injuries to the teeth, jaws, and facial structures that require prompt, specialized surgical care. At Legacy Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, facial trauma is treated by board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Dalbert Fear and Dr. Alena Fear, who have advanced hospital-based training and provide emergency room coverage for facial injuries at local hospitals.
Their experience includes managing both acute injuries and complex facial fractures, with careful attention to restoring function while preserving facial appearance. Every case is approached with precision, thoughtful planning, and coordination of care when needed.
Types of Facial Trauma Treated
Facial injuries can vary widely in severity and complexity. Drs. Fear and Fear are uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat facial trauma conditions, including:
- Facial lacerations
- Intraoral (inside the mouth) lacerations
- Avulsed (knocked-out) teeth
- Fractures of the cheekbone, nose, or eye socket
- Fractures of the upper and lower jaws
Treatment recommendations are based on the location of injury, severity, and the patient’s overall health and functional needs.
The Nature of Maxillofacial Trauma
Facial trauma may result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, work-related incidents, or interpersonal violence. These injuries can involve soft tissue, bone, teeth, or specialized facial structures and often require coordinated care.
Maxillofacial injuries are typically classified into three categories:
- Soft tissue injuries affecting the skin, lips, and gums
- Bone injuries involving fractures of the facial skeleton
- Special region injuries involving the eyes, facial nerves, or salivary glands
Accurate diagnosis and early intervention are critical to achieving predictable outcomes.
Soft Tissue Injuries of the Face and Mouth
Soft tissue injuries such as facial and intraoral lacerations are repaired using precise suturing techniques aimed at supporting healing and minimizing visible scarring. In addition to addressing the surface injury, careful evaluation is performed to identify and treat damage to deeper structures such as facial nerves, salivary glands, and salivary ducts.
As trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Drs. Fear and Fear are experienced in managing all types of facial and oral lacerations with attention to both function and appearance.
Bone Injuries and Facial Fractures
Fractures of the facial bones are treated based on the specific bone involved, fracture severity, and patient factors. Because casts cannot be applied to the face, alternative stabilization methods are used.
Some fractures of the upper or lower jaw may require temporary wiring to stabilize healing. Other fractures are best managed using rigid fixation, a technique that involves surgically placing small plates and screws to stabilize the bones. Rigid fixation often allows for more predictable healing and may eliminate the need for prolonged jaw wiring, helping patients return to normal function sooner.
Whenever possible, surgical access is achieved through the fewest incisions necessary, with careful placement to help conceal scars.
Injuries to Teeth and Supporting Structures
Dental injuries are common in facial trauma and may include fractured, displaced, or completely avulsed teeth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are often involved in managing injuries to the supporting bone and in replanting teeth that have been knocked out.
If a tooth is avulsed, it should be placed in milk or salt water and brought to a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. The tooth should never be scrubbed or wiped, as important ligament fibers are attached and essential for successful replantation.
In cases where injured teeth cannot be saved, dental implants may be considered as a long-term replacement option once healing is complete.
Your Anesthesia Options
Anesthesia plays an important role in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Whether your procedure is routine or complex, we take time to explain your options and answer questions so you feel informed and confident before treatment.
Specialized Surgical Expertise for Facial Trauma
The treatment of facial trauma requires specialists trained in emergency care, acute surgical management, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons with hospital privileges and emergency room coverage experience, Drs. Fear and Fear are equipped to manage both immediate injuries and the long-term reconstruction that may follow.
Care is delivered with a focus on restoring function, supporting recovery, and minimizing long-term impact on facial appearance.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Facial Trauma and other procedures.
"Hello, I'm Carroll from Ann Arbor. I came to Legacy Oral Surgery for an extraction and an implant. When I first walked into this practice, the staff was very polite and informative. The doctors were friendly and very efficient. I felt really comfortable with that knowledge. The procedure went very well, and the recovery was very comfortable. It was a great great experience. To all my friends in Ypsilanti, Saline, and Ann Arbor, I highly recommend Legacy Oral Surgery. It was the best practice I've ever been to."
Connie
Ann Arbor
"Hi, I'm Connie. I'm from Ann Arbor. So, I didn't have an appointment when I realized that I might have a hot tooth, and I happened to pop in, and the staff greeted me, and they took care of everything. They got x-rays. They were wonderful. I saw Dr. Fear. and they're not even usually open on Saturday. He was kind, he was attentive, he listened to me and took care of me immediately. I had a great experience. I would absolutely recommend this practice."
"Hi, I'm Italy from Southfield, and I came to Legacy Oral Surgery to have teeth extracted. When I first walked into this practice, it was really nice and calm, and they were really friendly. The staff here is really easy to work with. The doctor here was really nice, really comforting and also very calm. My procedure went well. It makes my mouth and me feel better from that. My overall experience with this practice was really nice. To all my friends and family in Southfield, I would highly recommend Legacy Oral Surgery."
"Hi, my name is Jessica from Pinkney. I came to Legacy Oral Surgery for extractions and dental implants. When I first walked into this practice, the staff were very kind, very knowledgeable. The doctors were very good. They always were there if I had a question. They put me at ease fairly quickly. The procedures went well. Now I can greet you with the biggest smile I have, and that is a wonderful feeling. My overall experience was amazing. I would definitely recommend Legacy Oral Surgery with a smile."
"Hi, I'm Liz from Ann Arbor, and I came to Legacy Oral Surgery for a tooth extraction. When I first walked into this practice, I felt very welcomed. It was a friendly and professional environment. My procedure went extremely well, and my recovery was without a hitch. Everything was fine. I feel very good, and my quality of life is improved because my teeth are intact and working well. My overall experience with this practice was very good. I highly recommend Legacy Oral Surgery."
"Hi, I'm McKenzie from Ypsilanti. I came to Legacy Oral Surgery for an exposure and bond. When I first walked into this practice, I felt very welcome. The staff was very understanding and cooperative to make me feel very comfortable and safe. The doctors were very knowledgeable and very caring and personable throughout my whole entire experience. My procedure went great, and my recovery was very fast and easy. Having a healthy smile is very important to me because it's something that will be with me for the rest of my life and be a first impression to many people I meet in my life. My overall experience with this practice was great. I highly recommend Legacy Oral Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Maria from Ann Arbor. I walked in, was greeted. The place was great. Everybody here from entering the door to when I left, checking out, and everything was happy, very nice, friendly. The doctors here are wonderful. They know what they're doing. They're quick and easy. They explain everything. The procedure was wonderful, and follow-up's been great. Everything, like I say, from the process to the beginning to the end's been, I'd say, best. I would recommend Legacy Oral Surgery to everybody."
"Hi, I'm Paul from Ann Arbor. When I first walked into this practice, people were very friendly. The staff are always accommodating and helpful here. I've essentially solely with Dr. Fear, and I've always had a very positive experience with him. I've had several procedures. They've all gone well. I've been coming to this practice for over 10 years, my wife and myself, and it's always been a positive experience. I would absolutely recommend Legacy Oral Surgery to others."
"Hi, I'm Paul. I live in Dexter. I came to Legacy Oral Surgery to get upper implants and a full-arch. When I walked into the new place here, I felt very comfortable. The staff here at the practice are above and beyond. Total professionals, very friendly, very helpful. Dr. Fear as an oral surgeon is the best in my experience. Since I've had the whole procedure done and finished, the quality of my life has definitely improved. Everything seems easier right now. Chewing in particular. So, I'm so glad I had this done. I would definitely recommend Legacy Oral Surgery. They are the best."
Restoring Confident Smiles for Ann Arbor, MI
At Legacy Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, we’re proud to serve the Ann Arbor community with advanced oral and maxillofacial care focused on comfort, safety, and long-term function. Whether you’re exploring dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, or another surgical treatment, our board-certified surgeons take time to listen, explain your options, and create a plan tailored to your needs. Our goal is to help you move forward with clarity and confidence—supported by modern technology and a patient-centered approach.