A broken cheekbone isn’t just a cosmetic issue — it can seriously affect your vision, breathing, bite alignment, and facial symmetry. Whether from sports injuries, falls, or accidents, cheekbone fractures require careful diagnosis and often expert treatment. Below, we explore the key signs, treatments, and recovery process so you can make the right decision for your health.
What are the Broken Cheekbone Symptoms?
A broken cheekbone, also known as a zygomatic bone fracture, is a common facial injury that often results from direct trauma such as falls, sports accidents, or physical altercations. While some fractures may seem mild at first glance, they can affect both facial appearance and critical functions like vision or jaw movement.
Recognizing the early signs of a cheekbone fracture is crucial for timely medical intervention and preventing long-term complications. How can you tell if you’ve fractured your cheekbone? Common symptoms include:
- Pain around the cheek and under the eye
- Swelling, bruising, or numbness in the face
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Nosebleeds
If any of these symptoms appear after an injury, seek medical attention immediately. A broken cheekbone can seem minor at first but may lead to serious complications if untreated.
How to be Operated Broken Cheekbone Treatment?
Treatment for a broken cheekbone depends on the severity and displacement of the fracture. Minor cracks may only require observation and pain relief. However, if the bone is displaced or affects surrounding structures (like the eye socket), surgical intervention is usually needed.
Prof. Dr. Celal Çandırlı offers both minimally invasive and reconstructive surgical approaches to ensure proper alignment and long-term facial harmony.
Broken Cheekbone Surgery
When the fracture is displaced or affects the orbit, broken cheekbone surgery is often necessary. This involves:
- Realigning the bone fragments
- Securing them with titanium plates (if needed)
- Minimizing scars through internal or hidden incisions
Modern techniques make this procedure safe and highly effective. Prof. Dr. Celal Çandırlı uses advanced surgical planning and imaging to achieve the most natural-looking results — often with minimal downtime and scarring.
What Happens Untreated Cheekbone Fracture?
Leaving a broken cheekbone untreated can result in:
- Permanent facial asymmetry
- Chronic pain or numbness
- Visual disturbances
- Breathing issues due to sinus damage
Sadly, many patients think swelling will resolve on its own — but once the bone heals in the wrong position, correction becomes much harder and may require complex reconstructive surgery.
What is the Broken Cheekbone Healing Time?
For non-displaced fractures, healing can take 4 to 6 weeks, with symptoms like swelling resolving after about 2 weeks. During this period, patients are advised to avoid heavy chewing, contact sports, and sleeping on the injured side.
Swelling may persist for a while, but Prof. Dr. Celal Çandırlı emphasizes follow-up imaging to ensure the bone is healing in the correct position.
Fractured Cheekbone Healing Time Without Surgery
If no surgery is needed, expect a healing time of 4 to 8 weeks, depending on your age, health, and how soon you began treatment. However, without surgical correction, the risk of poor bone alignment remains. Even small dislocations can affect facial aesthetics and nerve function.
Always consult with a maxillofacial specialist before deciding against surgery.
Can a Broken Cheekbone Heal Itself?
While some broken cheekbones can technically “heal on their own,” it’s not recommended to leave the process unmanaged. Natural healing without correct alignment can lead to visible deformity, chronic discomfort, and eye-related issues.
Prof. Dr. Celal Çandırlı strongly advises early intervention to minimize long-term damage and ensure a natural facial contour.
Broken Cheekbone Pictures
Seeing real images of broken cheekbone injuries can be alarming — swelling, bruising under the eye, and facial flattening are common. While we don’t include graphic images here, most patients report that their cheek appears sunken or asymmetrical soon after trauma. This is often accompanied by bloodshot eyes or visible bruises extending to the upper lip or temple.
If your face looks distorted after injury, don’t delay. A proper evaluation — ideally by a facial trauma expert like Prof. Dr. Celal Çandırlı — is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
Don’t let a broken cheekbone define your face. If you’ve suffered facial trauma, even if symptoms seem minor, get an expert opinion from a trusted specialist.
Contact Prof. Dr. Celal Çandırlı’s clinic today for a personalized evaluation and treatment plan that puts your safety and aesthetics first.