What is a common physical exam finding in a patient with a Le Fort II fracture?

A Le Fort II fracture is characterized by a midfacial fracture that involves the maxilla and the nasal bones, leading to a specific pattern of facial trauma. A common physical exam finding in this type of fracture is mobility of the dental arch, which can occur due to the disruption in the structural integrity of the facial skeleton. This mobility typically results from the fracture's involvement of the maxilla and its connections to other facial bones, leading to a separation of the dental arch from the stable portions of the skull.

In Le Fort II fractures, you might also see other signs such as a possible fracture of the nasal bones and altered sensation in the maxillary region due to nerve disruption. However, while these findings are relevant, the hallmark sign of increased mobility of the dental arch distinctively highlights the instability caused by the fracture.

The inability to open the mouth is more typically associated with other types of injuries, such as a mandibular fracture, rather than a Le Fort II fracture. Responses relating to the specific structure and mobility of the maxilla offer the most direct indication of this type of fracture's impact.