Achieve relief from facial tightness, pain, and asymmetry with expert synkinesis treatments at New York Facial Paralysis. Led by Dr. Teresa O, we offer tailored solutions like myectomy, neurolysis, and botulinum toxin injections to address uncoordinated muscle movements caused by nerve injury. Let us help you restore comfort and a balanced smile.
Regain facial control and symmetry
Synkinesis treatments help you regain facial control and symmetry. When facial nerves regrow after injury, they can sometimes send mixed signals, causing muscles to move involuntarily, leading to tightness, pain, and an asymmetric smile. At New York Facial Paralysis, we offer advanced solutions tailored to your needs, including myectomy to remove overactive muscles, selective neurectomy or neurolysis to address nerve tightness, and botulinum toxin injections like Botox to relax hyperactive areas. These treatments aim to restore natural facial harmony.
Synkinesis treatments correct:
- Involuntary muscle movements caused by nerve regrowth
- Facial tightness and discomfort
- Pain from overactive or misfiring facial muscles
- Asymmetric smile or facial expressions
- Compressed or uneven eye appearance
- Neck banding and jaw muscle overactivity
- Chin dimpling due to hyperactive mentalis muscle
Synkinesis treatment options
Myectomy Overview
Myectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that relieves tightness and pain by removing small portions of overactive muscles in your face. These targeted adjustments restore balance and improve your smile’s symmetry. Here are some common myectomy methods.
Depressor anguli oris (DAO) myectomy
This procedure targets the DAO muscle, which can cause the corners of your mouth to pull downward, creating a frown-like appearance. A small incision is made inside the cheek near the corner of the mouth. A segment of the DAO muscle is removed, immediately lifting the mouth corners for a natural smile.
Orbicularis oculi myectomy
The orbicularis oculi muscle encircles the eyes and, when overactive, can cause a compressed or squinted appearance. A small incision is made along the natural eyelid crease to remove a narrow muscle strip. This not only reduces tightness but can also improve the appearance of the eyes.
Platysma myectomy
The platysma muscle runs from the collarbone to the jawline and can contribute to an asymmetric smile and neck banding. Two small incisions are made along natural neck wrinkles, allowing the surgeon to remove a portion of the overactive muscle. This relieves neck tightness and improves facial expressions and contours.
Mentalis myectomy
Overactivity of the mentalis muscle on the chin can lead to dimpling or a “pebble-like” appearance, especially during facial movements. This procedure removes the overactive portion of the muscle through a discreet incision inside the mouth, leaving the chin smoother and more relaxed. It is minimally invasive and leaves no visible scarring.
Surgical Denervation
Surgical denervation is a precise procedure used to treat synkinesis by permanently disconnecting overactive nerve pathways causing involuntary facial movements. This targeted approach improves facial symmetry, reduces tension, and restores natural muscle function. This treatment option offers long-term relief for individuals seeking enhanced facial balance and control.
Asymmetric facelift
An asymmetric facelift is a dual-purpose surgery that addresses facial paralysis and aging. For the paralyzed side, incisions are placed along the ear and hairline to lift and adjust soft tissues, restoring balance and symmetry. The non-paralyzed side can also undergo an aesthetic facelift to match the rejuvenated appearance, ensuring a balanced overall look. This procedure not only enhances symmetry but also improves the contour and firmness of your face.
Botulinum toxin injections
Botulinum toxin injections, such as Botox, Dysport, and Daxxify, temporarily relax overactive facial muscles to restore facial balance. These injections block nerve signals to the targeted muscles, reducing their activity and allowing opposing muscles to function more naturally. Dr. O precisely injects the toxin into areas causing tightness or asymmetry, such as around the eyes, mouth, or neck. The effects are typically noticeable within days and last for several months.
Selective neurectomy or neurolysis
Selective neurectomy or neurolysis is a highly specialized surgical procedure designed to reduce facial tightness and improve symmetry by addressing overactive or misfiring facial nerve branches. This treatment is ideal if you experience pain, uncoordinated movements, or muscle tightness caused by aberrant nerve regrowth following a facial nerve injury. By selectively adjusting or removing certain nerve branches, the procedure restores balance to your facial expressions, helping you achieve a more natural appearance.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. O begins by making a carefully planned incision along natural contours in front of your ear to minimize visible scarring. Using advanced CMAP (Continuous Monitoring of the Action Potential) technology, electrodes are placed on your facial muscles, while a stimulating electrode is used to map nerve activity. The nerve branches responsible for tightness are identified and precisely cut or adjusted. Finally, dissolvable sutures are placed, and you can return home the same day.
Synkinesis treatments FAQs
What is synkinesis, and how does it affect my face?
Synkinesis occurs when facial nerves regenerate improperly after an injury, causing muscles to receive mixed signals. Instead of moving independently, muscles move together involuntarily. This can lead to tightness, pain, uncoordinated movements, and an asymmetric smile. For example, you might notice your eye closing when you smile or your chin dimpling unexpectedly.
How long does it take to see results from synkinesis treatments?
The timeline for results depends on the treatment. Botulinum injections like Botox typically show results within a few days, with the full results appearing in about two weeks. Myectomy provides immediate structural relief, such as a lifted corner of the mouth or reduced chin dimpling. Neurolysis may take longer as your facial muscles need time to adapt.
How do I maintain my results long-term?
Long-term maintenance depends on your individual condition and the treatments you receive. For Botox, regular follow-up injections every three to six months are recommended to sustain results. Surgical outcomes, like those from myectomy or neurolysis, are typically long-lasting, but ongoing physical therapy may be recommended to refine and strengthen facial movements.
Schedule your consultation
New York Facial Paralysis is a premier center for diagnosing and treating facial nerve disorders in Midtown East, Manhattan. Led by Dr. Teresa O, an expert in facial nerve care, our team offers cutting-edge solutions for synkinesis to restore your comfort and facial harmony. With advanced techniques, personalized care, and state-of-the-art technology, we deliver exceptional outcomes tailored to your needs. Take the first step toward a balanced smile—schedule your consultation.
