After a lower face lift I still have a crooked smile if I smile showing teeth. Can this nerve damage get any better? Options?

Question

You can see the dimples on one side of my chin-the other side is now smooth. My lip pulls against my teeth when smiling. Can anything help this?

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your picture and questions. You do not mention how long ago your surgery was and this can be very important information regarding nerve recovery issues. The thing you need to know, and your surgeon should be discussing with you, is that the nerve recovery can often times be very slow and can take 6-12 months to return to normal. So, if you are less than a year out from surgery, then the answer is to do nothing and just wait. If you are over a year out from your procedure, then you can discuss options with your plastic surgeon. Often a small amount of neurotoxin in the opposite side can even things out in terms of symmetry.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Edwin F. Williams, III, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Nerve recovery takes a significant amount of time and occurs at a rate of about 1mm per day. It can take up to 12-18 months for recovery to occur. If your nerve does not fully recover, botox to the opposite side may be an option in order to even out your smile. Best of luck!

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Trauma to some of the nerves during a facelift can lead to the crooked smile. It gets better in most patients over time. It takes between 3 months to a year to recover. Doing facial exercises during that time helps.RegardsDr. J

After a lower face lift I still have a crooked smile if I smile showing teeth. Can this nerve damage get any better? Options?

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Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

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After a lower face lift I still have a crooked smile if I smile showing teeth. Can this nerve damage get any better? Options?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.