Facial fractures are more than just cosmetic concerns — they can impact your breathing, vision, speech, and long-term facial symmetry. Whether caused by sports injuries, vehicle accidents, or falls, these fractures require prompt, expert attention. One of the most important factors in achieving optimal results is timing. Early evaluation and treatment can significantly impact both your short-term and long-term outcomes.
Dr. Marco Ellis is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Chicago with specialized expertise in facial trauma. He regularly treats patients with fractures to the orbital bones, cheekbones, jaw, and nose. His approach combines both functional repair and aesthetic restoration to ensure the best possible recovery.
Why Early Treatment Is So Important
Facial bones begin to heal within days after an injury. If a fracture is not properly aligned and stabilized during this early healing phase, the bones can fuse incorrectly, resulting in deformities, asymmetry, or impaired function. In some cases, delayed treatment may require more complex revision surgery to correct improper healing.
For example, orbital fractures (around the eye socket) may lead to long-term double vision or eye misalignment if not corrected promptly. Jaw fractures can interfere with proper bite alignment and chewing. Zygomatic fractures (cheekbones) may affect facial width and contour.
Early intervention enables more predictable surgical outcomes, often requiring less invasive methods. In many cases, treating a fracture within the first one to two weeks avoids the need for more extensive procedures later.
Evaluating the Full Extent of Injury
Timing also plays a crucial role in diagnostics. Facial trauma often involves multiple injuries — some of which may not be immediately obvious. Dr. Ellis uses advanced imaging, including CT scans, to carefully assess all affected structures and determine the best surgical plan.
Soft tissue damage, swelling, and bruising can mask underlying fractures, making an expert evaluation critical. A timely diagnosis ensures no injury is overlooked and that treatment addresses both bone structure and surrounding tissues.
Balancing Aesthetics with Function
In facial trauma care, restoring your appearance is important, but so is preserving essential functions like your vision, breathing, and jaw movement. Dr. Ellis balances these priorities in every case, using meticulous surgical techniques to correct fractures while minimizing visible scarring and preserving natural features.
Treating facial fractures promptly also reduces emotional stress. Generally, patients are concerned not only about pain but about lasting changes to their appearance. By addressing injuries early, Dr. Ellis can help you minimize both physical and psychological effects.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Ellis
Dr. Ellis was a fellow at John Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland/Shock Trauma Medical Center in cranofacial surgery. If you’ve sustained facial trauma, don’t delay seeking care. Early treatment improves healing, reduces complications, and leads to better functional and cosmetic outcomes. To schedule a consultation, contact our office in Chicago at (312) 695-6022.