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Horribly Crooked Smile from Botox Nefertiti Lift

I have this relatively new procedure called Botox Nefertiti Lift performed 12 days ago by a cosmetic physician, and it has lead to a crooked smile. A total of 20 Botox units were used along the jawlines. I have been unable to get a straight answer from the doctor. From looking at pictures, I think that the toxin has diffused into the Depressor Labii leading to the other side becoming hyperkinetic. I went back for a review and the doctor stated that she had hit a muscle on what seems to me to be the unaffected (hyperkinetic) side and the remedy was to inject an opposing muscle on the jawline on the affected side. That was three days ago, if anything, the problem has intensified. I have read an article about the problem and the issue not being resolved by injecting the depressor Labii on the unaffected side. I am frightened and worried. How long will I have this crooked smile? What are my options for getting it fixed?

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crooked uneven complication

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by Fleurette in Adelaide, Australia

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (1)

Do nothing for now.

Botox is a wonderful drug. It will do exactly what you tell it to do. However, if you paralyze the wrong muscles with a direct injection, it will take three months to recover. Any more Botox injections will undoubtedly prolong your agony. The principle of the Nefertiti lift is that you can somehow get a cleaner neck by paralyzing muscles along the jawline. It is not widely performed.

Time is your ally

The good thing about Botox is that it is temporary. When in doubt, wait. Things will resolve and return to normal. The worst approach would be to try to do something to correct a problem whose etiology is unknown especially where injection into a specific muscle is both hypothetical and difficult to achieve again since the first injection was presumably "misdirected". Injections into muscle around the muscle are controversial (some doctors won't do it) and imprecise as there are... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Perhaps you should wait and let it resolve

First of all a "cosmetic physician" is generally NOT a Board Certified plastic surgeon. American law allows almost anybody to call themselves whatever they want in order to attract the unsuspecting patient. This is unfortunate because proper and extensive supervised training is not required to call yourself a "cosmetic physician." So, my advice would be to go to a proper plastic surgeon and discuss your options. 20 units isn't much Botox and the effect should wear off in less than 4... more

Be wary of new techniques

We agree with the general concensus of the panel members -- doing nothing is probably your best option. In some situations, the Botox effects will begin slowly wearing off before the 3-4 month mark which may allow for some gradual improvement. When a practitioner keeps trying to correct an unintended outcome, the unfortunate result is "chasing" the problem while creating potentially more problems. It's apparent that you are not satisfied with the information, feedback, and... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

It will resolve in time

From what you describe, a nerve along the jaw (marginal mandibular nerve) sounds like it was hit by the Botox. This will produce weakness in the lip depressors. Fortunately, it will resolve over the next several months as the Botox wears off. I am not familiar with the term cosmetic physician.

Botox and crooked smile

Caveat Emptor! Beware of marketed named facial rejuvenation gimics. These are often done by people working at it as a true boutique type business and not as a medical practice. Remember everything we do can cause complications so it is important to go to a well qualified doctor. The botox will wear off in 3-4 months and the crooked smile should improve.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Correcting Botox Assymetry - Crooked smile

In general, it is difficult for a consulting physician to determine the exact cause of a particular procedure, especially if it is newer and poorly described in the scientific literature. The good news is that the procedure was non-surgical and likely related to Botox. These clues would most likely direct a physician to conclude that the nerves are not irreversibly damaged and that the botox effects will eventually subside, thus restoring symmetry. I would advise a patient in this... more

Time vs. More Injections

Hello Fleurette, Sorry to hear about your situation. The best advice I can give you at this point is to go back and see your Physician and have as clear a discussion as you can with her about your treatment options (ie. have her specifically explain why & where the additional Botox injections will help you). I don't know where the injections were placed so I cannot comment much about the depressor labii. You essentially have three options: 1. If you are satisfied with your Doctor's... more

Kamran Jafri, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.custom-lift.com

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Comments (1)

Genaesthetics 27 Aug 2012

I have personally found that the Nefertiti Lift won't affect the smile when administered correctly into the platysmal bands, however any unwanted effects are mostly not noticeable after 30 days. Your physician will take this into account when repeating your treatment in the future to avoid such pitfalls.

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