One of the many drawbacks of facial paralysis is the loss of a beautiful, symmetrical smile. Facial paralysis often affects one side of the face, resulting in unbalanced movement of the lips and mouth when smiling. Joshua D. Rosenberg, MD, is a highly respected facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in NYC that specializes in treatments for facial paralysis. If you have facial paralysis and want to restore a symmetrical smile, contact Dr. Rosenberg to explore your options.
With facial paralysis, the facial muscles and nerves do not perform as directed. When you smile, the messages sent from the brain travel through the facial nerves to the working side of the face, and your facial muscles react to pull your lips into a smile. Unfortunately, that message is lost if there is nerve damage or the muscles have atrophied on the side of your face with paralysis. Dr. Rosenberg offers surgical treatments that can restore movement and help you achieve a more balanced smile again.
Surgery for Smile Symmetry
Each person with facial paralysis is unique, and the treatments needed for smile restoration can vary. A common procedure to help with smile restoration is selective neurolysis surgery. This procedure releases the platysma muscle in the face and reduces nerve activity. This allows the corner of the mouth to move upward when you smile to achieve a symmetrical appearance. Other procedures that may be indicated to restore your smile can include nerve and muscle transfers, depending on the severity of your facial paralysis.
Everyone deserves to have a smile that brings beauty to their face and joy to those around them. If you have facial paralysis that is affecting your ability to create a balanced smile, there may be options to improve your appearance. Contact Dr. Rosenberg today at his office in NYC or Upper East Side to schedule a consultation to find out if you are a candidate for smile restoration surgery.