15 Dec Understanding Maxillofacial Plating: How It Helps Pets Heal After a Fracture
When your pet suffers a facial or jaw injury, it can be scary to see them struggle to eat, yawn, or even open their mouth. The good news? Modern pet jaw fracture treatment options allow many of these injuries to be successfully repaired and healed through a procedure called maxillofacial plating, a technique performed by veterinary dentists and oral surgeons.
This post explains what maxillofacial plating is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most effective treatments for pet jaw fractures and facial trauma.
What Is Maxillofacial Plating?
Maxillofacial plating is a specialized surgical technique that stabilizes broken bones in the jaw or face using tiny titanium plates and screws. These implants act like internal splints—holding the fractured pieces of bone perfectly in place while the body heals.
Because titanium is biocompatible and lightweight, pets tolerate it extremely well, and most live comfortably with the plates for life.
Why Your Pet Needs a Specialist for Jaw Fracture Treatment
The bones of the face and jaw are complex, thin, and packed with important structures—nerves, blood vessels, sinuses, and tooth roots. Repairing these fractures requires microscopic precision and a deep understanding of oral anatomy.
That’s where a veterinary dentist or oral surgeon comes in. These specialists are trained to:
- Reconstruct the face and jaws without disrupting nerve or blood supply
- Restore normal bite (occlusion) and alignment
- Prevent complications such as chronic pain or malocclusion (bad bite)
The Role of Cone Beam CT (CBCT) in Pet Jaw Fracture Treatment
Cone Beam CT imaging is one of the most powerful tools available in veterinary dentistry. It creates a 3D model of your pet’s skull, allowing surgeons to visualize fractures from every angle.
Benefits of CBCT include:
- Pinpoint accuracy in diagnosing fracture lines and tooth root involvement
- Safer, faster surgeries due to precise pre-operative planning
- Reduced anesthesia time and radiation exposure compared to traditional CT scans
This advanced imaging ensures that no hidden fractures or tooth root fragments are left behind—one of the leading causes of delayed healing or infection.
How Piezotome Surgery Helps
Your veterinary dentist may also use a piezotome, an ultrasonic surgical tool that cuts bone gently and precisely without damaging nearby soft tissues like nerves or gums.
The advantages:
- Less bleeding and swelling
- Faster recovery
- Minimal trauma to surrounding tissue
- Clean, smooth bone cuts for perfect plate placement
The combination of CBCT planning and piezotome surgery allows for faster, safer, and more predictable results.
Why Root Fragments Must Be Removed
If a tooth root fragment is left behind in a surgical or fracture site, it can act as a foreign body and lead to serious complications:
- Infection or abscess formation
- Delayed bone healing or non-union
- Persistent draining wounds
Veterinary dentists use CBCT imaging to identify and remove even tiny fragments, ensuring the surgical site is clean and the bone heals properly.
Recovery: What Pet Owners Can Expect
After surgery, most pets recover quickly. You’ll notice:
- Gradual return to normal eating and chewing
- Reduced pain and swelling within a few days
- Minimal scarring and excellent cosmetic outcomes
Your veterinarian will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including soft-food diets and follow-up visits to monitor healing.
Pet Jaw Fracture Treatment in Colorado
Maxillofacial plating isn’t just about fixing broken bones—it’s about restoring comfort, function, and quality of life through advanced pet jaw fracture treatment.
By working with a board-certified veterinary dentist or oral surgeon, you’re ensuring your pet receives the highest level of care using advanced tools like cone beam CT imaging and piezotome bone surgery.
If your pet has suffered a facial or jaw injury, ask your veterinarian about a referral to a veterinary dental specialist. The right pet jaw fracture treatment can make all the difference in their recovery.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/15/2025) Photo by Maëva Vigier on Unsplash
