A maxillary fracture is a break in the upper jaw bone (maxilla), usually from road accidents, falls or blows to the face. It can cause facial swelling, a changed bite, double vision and numbness below the eye. Displaced or mobile fractures are usually treated with surgery to reposition the bone and fix it with plates and screws.
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- DurationTypically 2 to 4 hours
- Hospital stayUsually 2 to 4 days
- Back to routineSoft diet for 4 to 6 weeks; bone healing in about 6 weeks
What is maxillary fractures?
The maxilla is the upper jaw bone, which holds the upper teeth and forms the floor of the eye sockets and the walls of the nose. Fractures usually result from impacts to the face, falls or road accidents, and may occur with other injuries. They can cause facial swelling and deformity, double vision, numbness below the eyes and limited jaw movement.
Maxillary fractures are less common than lower jaw or nasal fractures. They are classified by the Le Fort system: Le Fort I is a horizontal fracture above the upper teeth; Le Fort II is a pyramid-shaped fracture extending to the nose and lower eye socket; and Le Fort III separates the whole midface from the skull base.
Surgery is preferred for displaced, mobile fractures. It can relieve pain, aid healing, restore the bite, reduce infection risk and improve speech, breathing and eating. Surgeons usually wait a few days for swelling to settle before deciding on and performing surgery.
Who is maxillary fractures for?
- Displaced or mobile upper jaw fractures
- A changed bite or difficulty opening the mouth
- Double vision, a sunken eyeball or vision problems
- Numbness of the cheek, upper lip or teeth
- Visible flattening or change in facial appearance
How is it done?
- CT scans with 3D reconstruction plan the repair
- Goal: restore the pre-injury bite and facial projection
- Intermaxillary fixation (IMF): arch bars and wires hold the upper and lower teeth together
- Open reduction: bones are repositioned and fixed with plates and screws, with bone grafts if bone is missing
- Incisions are usually inside the mouth and closed with dissolvable stitches; before surgery, stop blood thinners if advised, avoid smoking and alcohol, and fast for about six hours
What is recovery like?
- Healing typically takes about six weeks
- Ice packs early; avoid forceful nose blowing for about three weeks and smoking for at least two to three weeks
- Liquids first, then a soft diet for four to six weeks
- Gentle mouth-opening exercises and careful oral hygiene
- Wires or arch bars are removed after healing; seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, bleeding or shifting of facial bones
What are the risks?
- Bleeding and infection
- Numbness of the lip or cheek
- Damage to tooth roots from screws, or gum and soft tissue injury
- Nasal septum deviation or a shortened upper lip
- Bite problems, jaw joint dysfunction and, rarely, loss of blood supply to bone (avascular necrosis)
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of an upper jaw fracture?
Common signs include facial swelling and bruising, a bite that feels wrong, movement of the upper teeth, nosebleeds, numbness of the cheek or upper lip, double vision and a flattened or elongated look to the face. A CT scan confirms the fracture pattern.
What are Le Fort fractures?
Le Fort fractures are patterns of upper jaw fracture. Le Fort I runs horizontally above the upper teeth, Le Fort II forms a pyramid through the nose and lower eye sockets, and Le Fort III separates the whole midface from the skull. Higher levels generally indicate more severe injuries.
Will my jaws be wired shut?
Not always. Temporary wiring of the teeth (intermaxillary fixation) is sometimes used, but many fractures are fixed with small plates and screws, which can allow earlier jaw movement. If wiring is used, you will be shown how to manage meals and oral hygiene.
What can I eat after maxillary fracture surgery?
You will usually start with liquids and progress to a soft diet for four to six weeks while the bone heals. Avoid hard or chewy foods, rinse the mouth after meals, and keep the mouth clean with gentle brushing and mouthwash as advised.
