Bells palsy is a type of paralysis that affects the face. In more than 90% of all cases, only about half of the face is affected. In a very small amount of cases, the entire face can be paralyzed. Also, in most cases the paralysis seems to happen overnight. This can cause the disorder to be very alarming to those who suffer with it that wake up without warning to a partially functioning face.
Many times the paralysis can be caused by nerve damage or nerve disruption, brain damage, stroke or even lyme disease. If left untreated, any of these can cause further paralysis or death. Minor cases may be left untreated and may heal on their own. But only an experienced doctor can prescribe the right type of action and treatment.
There are many types of treatments available. Some are proven to be more effective than others. Corticosteroids and ant-viral drugs are commonly prescribed based on the expected cause of Bells Palsy in an individual. Early treatment with either of these drugs is crucial to stop the affect of permanent facial paralysis.
Smile surgery or dynamic reconstruction surgery is a procedure developed to help restore the look of the face for an individual that experiences permanent paralysis due to Bells Palsy. These surgeries can restore function and nerve activity in the face. Cosmetic surgeons with experience in smile surgery can recommend a surgery based on an individual’s needs.
