Maxillofacial injury

This chapter has emphasized the relative infrequency of severe skeletal maxillofacial injuries in children. When they do occur, it is extremely important that they be approached by a team of physicians, each of whom is competent to manage the injury and complications related to his specialty. Particular attention must be given to the issues of general facial bone growth as well as future dental development. All operative procedures must be designed to avoid further injury to unerupted teeth, and the traditional methods of immobilization must be modified in order to avoid the avulsion of deciduous teeth.