(2)
Signs/symptoms. Included are the following:
(a) Pain without motion.
(b) Tenderness over the site of the fracture.
(c)
Swelling.
(d) Bruise.
(e) Malocclusion (teeth do not close properly to chew).
(f)
Cannot open mouth.
(g) Excessive salivation.
(h) Facial appearance is abnormal.
(i)
No feeling in the lower lip.
(3) Treatment. Protect the area from further injury. Evacuate the patient for
further evaluation. Wiring and or surgery of the jaw may be required.
d. Maxillary Fracture.
(1) Description. The maxilla, the upper jaw bone, is located in the middle
third of the face and is a stable, sturdy structure. A great amount of force is required to
fracture this bone. The most common cause of maxillary fracture is an automobile
accident. There may be massive hemorrhaging due to laceration of major vessels in
the nasopharyngeal area from the force of the blow which caused the fractures. These
fractures have the potential to be life-threatening since airway obstruction and
exsanguination (bloodlessness) may occur. Airway obstruction may be caused by
displacement of the maxilla.
Signs/symptoms. Included are the following:
(2)
(a) Pain.
(b) Swelling.
(c)
Ecchymosis (bruise).
(d) Malocclusion (teeth do not close properly for chewing most
common sign).
(e)
Palpable fracture separations.
MD0582
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