Aim

To describe the incidence, etiology, pattern and treatment of maxillofacial fractures in a dental emergency department of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area.

Materials and methods

A study was conducted, recording sex, age, etiology, location and treatment of maxillofacial fractures in patients who visited the Emergency and Patient Orientation Service of the School of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires (SUyOP) from March 2018 to December 2019. Data were obtained from dental medical records.

Results

During the evaluated period, a total 13,919 patients visited the SUyOP for dental emergencies, of whom 47 (0.33%) presented with trauma in the oral-maxillofacial region, and 39 were male (83%). Age range was 30 to 51 years. Overall, 66 fractures were diagnosed. Fractures were most frequent in the mandible (95.45%). Interpersonal aggression was the most prevalent cause (53.19%). The most frequent treatment was intermaxillary fixation, which was performed in 57.44% of the cases

Conclusion

Fractures of the lower jaw were the most frequently reported. Although these fractures are not life-threatening, failure to diagnose and treat them properly can lead to loss of function of the stomatognathic system and development of secondary deformities requiring more complex treatment.