What does the procedure repair?
A fracture of the maxilla, the bone that forms the upper jaw and part of the midface.
Some injuries also involve the nose, eye sockets, cheekbones, or other facial bones.
Craniofacial & Facial Reconstruction
Maxillary Fracture Repair
Maxillary fracture repair restores the position and stability of a broken upper jaw to support healing, bite alignment, and facial function.
Does every fracture need surgery?
No. Some stable fractures can heal without an operation.
Bone displacement, bite changes, instability, and associated injuries help determine whether surgery is needed.
What is the main goal?
To restore a stable upper jaw and a workable bite.
Facial support and symmetry are also considered, but the result depends on the injury and healing.
01 · Overview
Understanding upper-jaw fracture repair
The maxilla holds the upper teeth and helps form the hard palate, nose, and eye sockets. A fracture may follow a fall, collision, sports injury, or other trauma. Facial swelling can hide the full extent of an injury. [1]
Repair may involve repositioning bone fragments and stabilizing them with plates and screws. Temporary wires or elastic bands between the jaws may help guide the bite. Not every fracture needs the same approach, and some can be managed without surgery. [1]
Maxillary fracture repair treats a traumatic upper-jaw injury. It is different from lower-jaw fracture repair and planned corrective jaw surgery for longstanding jaw alignment concerns. A surgeon experienced in facial trauma determines the plan after examining the injury and reviewing imaging. [2]
- Treatment area
- Upper jaw and midface
- Main assessment
- Facial examination, bite assessment, and imaging
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia is commonly used for operative repair
- Recovery
- Bone healing takes weeks; complex injuries may require longer care
What does a Le Fort fracture mean?
Le Fort describes certain upper-jaw and midface fracture patterns. The term helps the team describe which bones are separated, but real injuries may have mixed patterns. Your scan, bite, and examination matter more than the name alone.
Why are the eyes and teeth checked?
The upper jaw sits close to the eye sockets, sinuses, and tooth roots. Vision changes, damaged teeth, or injuries to these neighboring structures may need additional specialists and treatment.
02 · Concerns & Goals
What the injury may affect
An upper-jaw fracture can affect more than appearance. Your team will assess your bite, breathing, teeth, and nearby facial structures.
A changed bite
Your teeth may no longer meet as they did before the injury, making chewing difficult or uncomfortable.
Loose or displaced bone
An unstable upper jaw may need repositioning and support so the bone can heal in a better position.
Changes in facial support
Displaced fractures may change midface width, projection, or symmetry. Swelling can make these changes hard to judge early on.
Nearby injuries
Nasal blockage, numbness, damaged teeth, or eye symptoms may accompany the fracture and affect the treatment plan.
03 · Options
How the approaches differ
These are possible parts of upper-jaw fracture care, not interchangeable choices. Your surgeon recommends an approach based on stability, displacement, your bite, and other injuries.
Observation and protected healing
Selected stable fractures may heal without surgery.
How it worksThe team monitors alignment and healing while setting diet and activity limits.
May suitSome fractures with little displacement and a stable, acceptable bite.
Main tradeoffFollow-up remains important because a changing bite or alignment may require further treatment.
Closed reduction and bite stabilization
Bone alignment is managed without directly exposing every fracture site.
How it worksThe surgeon may reposition the jaw and use dental fixation, wires, or elastics to support alignment.
May suitSelected fracture patterns where an acceptable position can be maintained this way.
Main tradeoffRestricted jaw opening can complicate eating, oral care, and emergency planning.
Open reduction and internal fixation
Displaced bones are repositioned and secured with plates and screws.
How it worksIncisions, often inside the mouth, allow the surgeon to align and stabilize the fracture. Additional access may be necessary.
May suitMany displaced or unstable fractures, especially when the bite is affected.
Main tradeoffSurgery carries risks such as infection, nerve changes, and hardware problems.
Complex or staged reconstruction
Extensive injuries may need several coordinated procedures.
How it worksTreatment can include repair of neighboring facial fractures, reconstruction of missing bone, or later correction after initial healing.
May suitSeverely fragmented fractures, bone loss, or injuries involving several facial regions.
Main tradeoffRecovery may be longer, with more appointments and possible additional operations.
Treatment decisions depend on the fracture pattern, jaw stability, bite, and associated injuries—not appearance alone. [1] [2].
Will my jaws be wired together?
Not necessarily. Plates and screws may provide enough stability, but some people also need temporary wires or elastic bands. Ask whether your jaw opening will be restricted, for how long, and what emergency instructions you will need.
Will the plates need to come out?
Plates and screws are often left in place if they cause no problems. Infection, exposure, discomfort, or special considerations in a growing child may lead the surgeon to recommend removal.
04 · Results
What may improve and what may remain
Bite and function
Repair aims to restore jaw stability and improve how the teeth meet.
- Dental injuries and preexisting bite differences may limit what fracture repair alone can achieve.
- Persistent bite problems may require dental, orthodontic, or further surgical care.
Facial support and sensation
Restoring bone position can help rebuild facial support, but early swelling obscures the result.
- Residual asymmetry is possible after a severe injury.
- Numbness may improve gradually, but some sensory changes can persist.
Longer-term healing
The outcome becomes clearer as the bones heal and swelling settles.
- Follow-up checks assess stability, bite, infection, and hardware concerns.
- Complex injuries sometimes require later reconstruction or revision.
The severity of the original injury and damage to surrounding tissues influence recovery as well as the repair itself. [1]
05 · Recovery
Planning your recovery
Recovery at a glance
- Stay after surgery
- Determined by Your Surgeon
- Initial recovery at home
- Varies by Individual
- Return to desk work
- Varies by Procedure and Work Activity
- Light daily activities
- Based on Individual Recovery
- Strenuous exercise
- Based on Surgeon Clearance
Returning to work does not mean fully healed. Follow your surgeon’s instructions; strenuous activity requires clearance.
Your recovery plan depends on the fracture and how it is stabilized. The stages below describe common experiences, not a personal set of instructions.
Step 1 · Initial care and surgery
Treatment day
The team prioritizes breathing, bleeding, and associated injuries before definitive repair. After surgery, monitoring focuses on your airway, pain, swelling, and ability to take fluids.
Step 2 · First days
Early recovery
Swelling, bruising, soreness, and limited mouth opening are common. Your team provides an individual plan for nutrition, oral care, medicines, and any jaw fixation.
Step 3 · Following weeks
Protected bone healing
Appointments check the bite and fracture stability. Food texture and activity restrictions may continue even when you feel better.
Step 4 · After healing is assessed
Gradual return
Chewing and activity increase as the surgeon allows. Numbness, stiffness, or swelling may take longer to settle, and additional dental care may be needed.
Planning everyday activities
ActivityGeneral planning contextWhat affects the plan
Work or schoolPlanning context: Timing depends on pain, fatigue, medicines, and job demands.What affects it: Desk activities may resume before lifting or physical work. Returning does not mean the bone has fully healed.
Eating and drinkingPlanning context: Food texture depends on fracture stability and any jaw fixation. [1]What affects it: Your team may prescribe a liquid or no-chew diet and help plan adequate fluids and nutrition.
Exercise and contact sportsPlanning context: Impact and strain can threaten a healing repair. [1]What affects it: Ask for separate clearance for light exercise, heavy lifting, and activities with a risk of facial injury.
Nose blowing and pressure changesPlanning context: Sinus or eye-socket involvement may require special precautions.What affects it: Ask about nose blowing, flying, and diving rather than assuming they are safe once discomfort improves.
Follow your surgical team's instructions. Ask your surgical team whether compresses are appropriate and exactly how to use them.
Before your procedure
- Share when and how the injury happened, including any loss of consciousness, vision changes, or neck pain.
- Provide your medication list, allergies, medical conditions, and history of anesthesia problems.
- Tell the team about blood thinners; do not stop prescribed medicines without guidance.
- Discuss nicotine, alcohol, and other substance use so anesthesia and healing plans are safer.
- If surgery is scheduled, confirm fasting instructions, transportation, and help at home.
- Ask how to obtain suitable nutrition and manage oral care or jaw fixation after discharge.
What if my jaw is held closed?
Before discharge, you and a support person should receive specific instructions for vomiting, breathing trouble, and fixation problems. Ask whether emergency release equipment is needed and how to use it. Do not adjust wires or elastics on your own outside the team's instructions.
How will I know the bone is healing?
Less pain alone does not confirm healing. Your surgeon checks your bite and jaw stability and may use imaging. Keep follow-up visits even if you feel ready to resume normal activities.
06 · Safety
Risks and what your clinician assesses
Swelling, bruising, soreness, temporary difficulty chewing, and some numbness can occur after the injury and repair. Symptoms should be reviewed if they worsen or differ from what your team told you to expect.
Bleeding or airway problems
Bleeding and swelling can occasionally threaten breathing and require urgent treatment.
Infection
Infection can involve incisions, bone, sinuses, or hardware and may require medicines or another procedure.
Persistent bite changes
The teeth may not meet correctly after healing, and further dental or surgical treatment may be needed.
Delayed or misaligned healing
Bone may heal slowly, fail to unite, or heal in an unwanted position. Hardware may loosen or become exposed.
Nerve, tooth, or nearby tissue injury
Numbness, tooth damage, sinus problems, and persistent facial differences can result from the trauma or treatment. Eye-related problems need prompt evaluation.
Anesthesia and general surgical complications
Medication reactions, breathing complications, and blood clots are possible. Your health and the extent of treatment influence risk.
Discuss these risks and your individual health history with your surgeon. [1]
What your clinician assesses
- Fracture pattern, displacement, bone loss, and jaw stability
- Bite alignment, tooth injuries, and dental health
- Airway, vision, sinuses, and other head or neck injuries
- Medical conditions, medicines, nicotine use, and ability to maintain nutrition
07 · Costs
What makes up the Total Procedure & Care Cost
Compare written estimates for the same planned scope of repair, including associated facial injuries and expected follow-up. Emergency treatment and insurance arrangements may affect how charges are handled.
Surgeon
Surgical care
Surgeon services for fracture alignment, fixation, and any planned reconstruction.
Ask your surgeonAsk whether additional specialists, dental procedures, or later operations are billed separately.
Facility
Anesthesia and facility
Anesthesia services, operating room care, and any hospital stay.
Ask your surgeonConfirm network status and whether imaging, emergency care, and inpatient charges are separate.
Supplies
Supplies and follow-up
Potential charges for fixation materials, medicines, nutrition supplies, imaging, and follow-up visits.
Ask your surgeonAsk which items are included and how unexpected visits or hardware removal would be billed.
TRC
Patient Services
Any separately listed administrative or care-coordination services.
Ask TRCAsk what each service includes, whether it is optional, and whether insurance covers it.
Your written estimate should explain the services included, any separate charges, and payment terms.
08 · Questions
Common questions
Is this the same as corrective jaw surgery?
No. Fracture repair treats a broken upper jaw after trauma. Corrective jaw surgery usually addresses a longstanding jaw or bite imbalance, although some surgical tools overlap.
How soon does repair need to happen?
Facial trauma should be assessed promptly. Definitive repair timing depends on airway safety, other injuries, swelling, and fracture stability. Do not delay evaluation while waiting for a routine consultation.
Will there be a visible scar?
Many fractures can be approached through incisions inside the mouth, but complex injuries may require other incisions. Existing wounds from the injury may also leave scars.
Will insurance cover treatment?
Traumatic fracture repair is often evaluated as medically necessary care, but coverage depends on your plan, providers, and authorization requirements. Dental treatment may fall under separate benefits.
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View in My TRC workspaceMy Aesthetic Plan
Prepare for your consultation
Bring these to help your consultation:
- Understand the fracture pattern, treatment recommendation, and possible alternatives.
- Have a personalized recovery and emergency plan, including any fixation instructions.
- Confirm follow-up arrangements, support at home, and the scope of the written estimate.
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Choices stay in this visit until saving to your account completes. Nothing is sent to a clinician.
Sources
- [1]Cleveland Clinic: Facial FracturesFacial fracture symptoms, associated injuries, evaluation, surgical and nonsurgical treatment, complications, recovery considerations, and urgent warning signs.
- [2]Mayo Clinic: Jaw surgeryThe distinction between planned corrective jaw surgery for jaw alignment problems and treatment of traumatic fractures; use of plates and screws in jaw surgery.
Photographs are illustrative scenes, not patients, staff, facilities or outcomes. This information does not replace a personal assessment by your treating clinician.