Does the Infraorbital Nerve Affect Sensation of Upper Lip or Movement?

It sounds like you are recovering normally from surgery.  It can take months and even up to a year or longer for the sensation in a surgically operated area to recover fully.  Sometimes nerves undergo a "stretch" injury during procedures and take time to recover.  The infraorbital nerve is not responsible for the movement or position of your lip.  Your smile asymmetry may be from surgical manipulation, surgical scarring, and will likely improve over time.  I would discuss these issues with your surgeon as well. 

Dear Curious_Inquirer,

Trauma to the infraorbital nerve during cheek implant removal
or insertion, or other cosmetic facial procedures, can definitely result in
decreased sensation to the upper lip on the outside of the face. The infraorbital nerve does not control
motion of the facial muscles of the upper lip; however, stretching or trauma of
the zygomaticus major or minor and other facial muscles that contribute to
facial lip movement can occur during the same procedure. It is entirely possible that subtle
disruption, stretching or microtrauma to the muscles of facial movement
occurred at the time of trauma to the infraorbital nerve. Subtle asymmetries to the lip movement can
occur and generally, over time, these completely resolve.

My advice at this time would be to seek the opinion of your
operative physician to reassure you that the upper lip motion and function
should return. I have found it useful
over the years to deploy radiofrequency bulk heating devices and electrical
mild stimulation of the muscles of elevation of the upper lip following subtle
and modest weakness postoperatively, as this will resolve the asymmetries much
quicker than allowing Mother Nature and time to restore facial balance.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto