Surgery for Drooping Mouth?

Question

My mouth droops a little on one side and I have been told by a surgeon I have an asymmetric face. The doctor actually thought I had had an accident.

	What is the surgery that can correct this to give symmetry to my face and in particular to stop the side of my mouth drooping?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

There are many options and the choices depend on the severity:
1) Botox to the other side
2) Subcutaneous Fillers
3) Corner lift
4) Asymmetric Lip lift (Bull-horn or gull wing)
5) Cheek lift
6) Face lift

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

Asymmetry is the norm and not the exception. Asymmetry is beautiful and in the recent literature we are learning that it is more attractive to have asymmetries and that when you mirror image a perfectly symmetric face most people find it disturbing to the eye. Embrace your asymmetry and know that you are beautiful.
As for the drooping mouth, it can be caused by weakness in the muscle, sometimes due to underlying nerve injury, or descent of soft tissue. There are several surgical and nonsurgical options that may help.
Consult with an experienced facial plastic surgeon for a complete range of options that are appropriate for your situation.
Best of luck.
Gary Linkov, MD

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! Ask your doctor about corner lift that focuses on the outer edge of the upper lip to the corner. This procedure is used to raise the corner of the mouth and improves the look of despair. The small incision is closed with dissolving sutures and can be covered with make up within the week.This is performed in the office  under a local anaesthetic in less than an hour. It is best to find a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience with your case and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

James M. Pearson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. The Lip Lift procedure is performed to accentuate the size and/or shape of the upper lip by removing skin from the region just underneath the nose. As the distance is decreased between the nose and the lip, the red lip is 'lifted'. In appropriate individuals, shortening this distance may impart or restore a more favorable balance to lips and face.
  
Some degree of facial asymmetry is entirely normal. A Lip Lift or Corner Lip Lift may be employed to improve symmetry by 'shortening' or 'lifting' the side which appears to be positioned lower. However, there are several possible contributors to facial asymmetry and some contributors are more complicated than simple soft tissue excess. I would advise you to consult in person with a facial plastic surgeon with experience performing this procedure.

Stephen J. Pincus, MD · Answer

The procedure that best treats drooping at the corner of the mouth is a corner lip lift. In very early, minimal instances, botox can be used to paralyze  the corner depressors of the mouth to help elevate this area. However, a facelift, cheek lift or fillers will have no significant effect.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

You may have Bells Palsy. Or you may have a subtle or natural asymmetry. To correct a very asymmetric face a facelift may be required. If there is loss of muscle function then a nerve transfer or muscle transfer may be required. If it is just your mouth then a Lip Lift or a Corner Lip Lift may be helpful. Best of Luck,Dr. Chopra

Robert W. Sheffield, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to see asymmetry of the face including the corners of the mouth, cheek folds and facial lines. Without a photograph we will have to assume a few things. First of all the surgeon would want to access your smile and facial expression. He or she would want to know about the motor function of the face, balance of the lower third of the face, amount of vermillion or lip show, your dental occlusion, and assessment of your face in a lateral position. If you are young and all the other assessment are normal maybe the first thing to consider if a dermal filler to push up the corner of the mouth and address the shadowing. Sometimes Botox can be added to block the depressor muscles at the corner of the mouth. Finally there are several ways a lip lift is performed. The scars are quite acceptable to most patients.

Debra Irizarry, MD · Answer

Drooping of one side of your mouth may respond well to having some Botox placed in the DAO, (depressor anguli oris), muscle on the side of the droop. As this muscle "pulls down" the corner of your mouth, weakening it with Botox may correct the asymmetry. Make sure you have somebody with experience in lower face Botox therapy, as, if it is done incorrectly, the lower lip, (and not just the corner), will be distorted.

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Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

When the corners of the mouth turn down, there is other solution than to treat it directly. Many people mistakenly believe that a face or cheek lift will turn the corners up to a level position, but this will not result from those procedures. A simple corner of the mouth lift removes a very small triangle of skin at the mouth corners and creates an immediate and permanent change in the smile line. It does result in a very small scar but this area heals well and scar revision of it is usually not needed.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD · Answer

Sometimes a midface lift can lift the upper lid and cheek. The surgeon probably thought you had a facial nerve palsy from an accident. The midface lift can give you a good result from this.

Surgery for Drooping Mouth?

Answers (15)

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