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Facial trauma

Facial trauma care in Dawsonville

Facial trauma care treats injuries to the teeth, jaws, cheekbones and soft tissues of the mouth and face after a fall, a sports collision or an accident. In Dawsonville, Dr. Abtin Shahriari examines the injury, uses 3D imaging to see the bones and treats many injuries at the office, drawing on years of trauma surgery at Level 1 trauma centers. For a complex fracture, he explains at your visit where the repair will take place.

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Who it is for

Injuries that need a surgeon.

If you or your child was hurt in the face or mouth and the injury is not life-threatening, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is the right person to examine it.

  • A tooth that was knocked out, pushed out of place or broken near the gumline
  • Your bite feels different, or your teeth no longer meet the way they did
  • Pain, swelling or numbness over the jaw, cheekbone or around the eye
  • Cuts to the lips, tongue, gums or inside of the cheek that need closing
  • You were seen in an emergency room and told to follow up with an oral surgeon
A 3D dental imaging scanner in a bright, quiet room

How it works

How injury care unfolds.

Serious injuries come first. Once you are stable, the focus turns to restoring how your face works and looks.

  1. Call the office

    Describe what happened. The team tells you how soon Dr. Abtin can see you and what to do in the meantime.

  2. Exam and imaging

    Dr. Abtin examines your face, teeth and bite and takes a 3D scan when he needs to see the bones in detail.

  3. Repair

    Depending on the injury, he may reposition teeth, close cuts with careful stitches or stabilize broken bones so they heal in line.

  4. Follow-up

    You return for checks while you heal, and Dr. Abtin coordinates with your dentist if teeth need further care.

A reception area with a wood front desk, a gray sofa and a round coffee table
Before you come inBring a photo ID, your dental and medical insurance cards and a list of the medicines you take.

Recovery

How long does a facial injury take to heal?

Recovery depends on what was injured. A repaired cut inside the lip may feel better within days, while a fractured jaw often needs weeks on a soft diet. Dr. Abtin explains your timeline once he knows the full extent of the injury.

Use cold packs early on, keep the area clean as instructed and protect it from another bump. Teeth that were moved or knocked out may need your dentist's care later, even if they feel fine.

Possible risks

  • Infection, especially after cuts inside the mouth or a fracture that breaks the skin or gum
  • Numbness of the cheek, lip or chin where a nerve was injured
  • Teeth hurt in the injury may later need a root canal or removal, even if they feel fine at first
  • A visible scar after a cut to the face or lip

Dr. Abtin goes over the risks that apply to you, and how they are lowered, before you decide on surgery.

Read the general after-surgery guide

Sedation options

Comfort, your way.

Small repairs are often done with local anesthesia. More involved repairs may call for IV sedation. Dr. Abtin recommends an option once he has examined the injury.

  • Option for this procedure

    Local anesthesia

    Numbs the area being treated. You are awake, and you feel pressure but not sharp pain.

  • Option for this procedure

    Nitrous oxide

    A gas you breathe through a small mask. It takes the edge off nerves and wears off within minutes after the mask comes off.

  • Option for this procedure

    IV sedation

    Medicine given through a vein places you in a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state. Most people remember little of the procedure. You need an adult to drive you home.

How sedation works at NGOS

Insurance and cost

Does insurance cover facial injury care?

Injuries to the face and jaw are often billed to medical insurance, and dental insurance may help with damaged teeth. If the injury involved an accident claim, let the team know. Ask what your plan is likely to cover before treatment when timing allows.

Insurance and financing

FAQ

Facial trauma: your questions.

Still wondering about something? Call (706) 969-7664

If someone has trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, a head injury or lost consciousness, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away. For injuries to the teeth, jaw or mouth without those warning signs, call the office and the team will guide your next step.

Hold it by the white crown and avoid touching the root. A quick rinse is fine if it is dirty, but do not scrub it. Store it in milk, or tucked in your cheek if you can do that safely, and call the office or a dentist right away. Time matters for saving the tooth. If a child knocks out a baby tooth, do not put it back in the socket; call the office or your child's dentist.

Signs can include pain when you bite or open, a bite that feels off, swelling, bruising under the tongue or numbness in the lip or chin. A fracture is confirmed with an exam and imaging, so call the office if you notice these after an injury.

Any cut can leave a mark, but careful closure helps the skin and lip line heal as evenly as possible. Dr. Abtin pays close attention to how facial tissues line up so the result blends in, and he explains scar care during your follow-up.

Yes. Children and teens often hurt their teeth and jaws during sports. Call the office to describe what happened. If there are signs of a head injury or trouble breathing, go to an emergency room first.

Related care

You may also want to read.

All procedures

Sources for patients

General information from patient education pages by the organizations above. Page updated November 6, 2026.

Ready when you are

Talk with the team today.

Ask a question, ask about your insurance or book a consultation with Dr. Abtin at the Dawsonville office.

Request a visit Call (706) 969-7664