Introduction

Drooping mouth corners can significantly impact a person's appearance and self - confidence. In New York City, a metropolis known for its world - class medical facilities, there are several hospitals that offer top - notch treatments for this condition. This article will explore the various causes of drooping mouth corners, the different treatment options available, and introduce some of the best hospitals in New York City to address this issue.

Causes of Drooping Mouth Corners

Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis is a major cause of drooping mouth corners. It can be the result of multiple factors. Bell's palsy, which affects about 40,000 Americans each year, is a sudden paralysis or weakness on one side of the face due to malfunction of the seventh cranial (facial) nerve. Although 80 percent of individuals recover from Bell's palsy within a short amount of time, the remainder may have long - term challenges, including drooping of the mouth.

Other causes of facial paralysis include head injuries, bacterial or viral infections such as Lyme disease, infections of the middle ear, or herpes zoster oticus (Ramsey - Hunt syndrome). The removal of intracranial or parotid tumors, stroke, or vascular malformations can also lead to sudden facial paralysis, causing the mouth corners to droop.

Aging and Gravity

As people age, the skin loses its elasticity and the effects of gravity become more pronounced. The muscles around the mouth weaken, and the corners of the mouth can start to droop. Over time, this can result in a permanent frown - like appearance even when the person is in a good mood.

Treatment Options for Drooping Mouth Corners

Botox Treatments

Botox is a popular non - surgical option for improving drooping mouth corners. Botox works by relaxing the targeted muscle, specifically the depressor anguli oris muscle that pulls the corners of the lips down. By relaxing this muscle, the elevating muscles can bring the corners of the mouth up more easily, resulting in a more neutral position for the corners of the mouth. Botox injections can also smooth away the beginnings of marionette lines that start at the corner of the mouth and go down the chin.

The procedure takes about 15 - 20 minutes, and results can be noticeable in less than a week. However, this treatment is not permanent and usually lasts for 2 - 4 months before another treatment is needed to maintain the mouth appearance.

Surgical Treatments

For more severe cases, surgical treatments may be necessary. Some of the surgical techniques include:

• Suspension slings: These are used to elevate the corner of the mouth and restore a symmetric smile. They can also help with nasal breathing and improve the ability to eat and drink.
• Temporalis tendon transfer and gracilis free flap techniques: These techniques aim to restore facial movement and function to the muscles of the face through surrounding nerves including the masseteric nerve, hypoglossal nerve, opposite facial nerve, and ansa cervicalis nerve.

Best Hospitals in New York City for Improving Drooping Mouth Corners

NYU Langone Health - Facial Paralysis & Reanimation Center

Overview

The Facial Paralysis & Reanimation Center at NYU Langone Health is a leading institution in treating facial paralysis and related issues such as drooping mouth corners. Established in 2014, it marshals the expertise of clinical specialists from numerous disciplines, including otolaryngology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, radiology, and neurology, as well as rehabilitation experts from NYU Langone's Rusk Rehabilitation.

Treatment Approach

The center takes a personalized treatment approach. Its team of experts meets regularly to discuss individual patients' unique concerns. The treatment options for facial paralysis are broad and can be medical, surgical, rehabilitative, or a combination of all three.

Electrodiagnostic testing, including electron euronography, electromyography, and audiology, is used to evaluate the chance that the paralysis will recover on its own and not require surgery. Medication, such as botulinum toxin injection to treat uncoordinated facial muscle movements and facial filler to even out facial asymmetry, is often used. Surgical treatments include brow lift, upper eyelid weight placement, facial nerve decompression, nerve grafting and rerouting, local muscle transposition, and suspension slings for the mouth corner.

Medical Team

The center's physicians specialize in facial and reconstructive surgery, otolaryngology, and head and neck surgery. Some of the notable doctors include Danielle Eytan, MD (facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon), David R. Friedmann, MD (otologist & neurotologist), and Adam S. Jacobson, MD (head & neck surgeon).

Contact Information

Phone: 646 - 501 - 7906
Fax: 646 - 501 - 7887

Mount Sinai - New York

Facial Nerve Paralysis Program

Mount Sinai's facial nerve paralysis program involves a multidisciplinary approach to ensure patients receive all aspects of care in one setting. The team of experts includes facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, head and neck surgeons, ophthalmologists, neurologists, physical therapists, and social workers.

Treatment Options

The hospital offers a wide range of treatment options for patients suffering from facial paralysis, which can cause drooping mouth corners. These include occupational/physical therapy, Botox treatments, nerve grafting, eyelid surgery, facial slings, and muscle transfer surgery.

Occupational and physical therapy play a vital role in helping patients recover from facial nerve paralysis or regain function after surgery. Botox is often used as an adjunct to facial retraining for patients with synkinesis or facial spams. Nerve grafting is the first choice of treatment for nerve injuries where the injured branches of the facial nerve can be identified. Eyelid surgery is indicated for patients who are unable to close their eye on their paralyzed side. Facial slings and muscle transfer techniques are used to support the corner of the mouth and lower face.

Bell's Palsy Reconstruction

For patients suffering from long - term loss of smile movement due to Bell's palsy, Mount Sinai offers a new surgical approach known as cranial nerve 5 and 7 transfer (masseter facial nerve transfer). Joshua Rosenberg, MD, of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York is one of the few surgeons across the nation who performs this procedure. The surgery, typically performed on an outpatient basis, involves rerouting nerves involving jaw movement to help restore facial movement, specifically movement of the muscles involved in smiling.

New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE)

Comprehensive Care

NYEE provides comprehensive, compassionate care for adults and children who experience facial paralysis and associated movement disorders. The team of experienced specialists takes a multidisciplinary approach to the wide range of conditions that cause facial paralysis, collaborating closely with experts in neurotology, ophthalmology, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Treatment Based on Causes

Depending on the cause and specific symptoms, treatment may include medication such as antibiotics, corticosteroids, or onabotulinumtoxina (Botox®), physical therapy, or neurologic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery. The various causes of facial paralysis are broadly categorized as congenital, infectious, trauma, cancer surgery, and systemic and neurologic conditions. For example, Bell's palsy can be treated with steroids and anti - viral medications, while Lyme disease is usually resolved with antibiotics. Traumatic head injury may require surgery to repair facial nerve damage, and autoimmune diseases causing facial paralysis are treated with prompt medical intervention.

LM Medical NYC

Botox Corner Mouth Lip Lift

LM Medical NYC in Manhattan offers a Botox® corner mouth lip lift. Gravity and skin laxity can contribute to the corners of the mouth downturned into a frown. Botox treatments at this facility can offer a quick and simple solution to address lines and a downturn at the corners of the mouth. A few small injections will smooth the lines and relax the muscles pulling down the corners of the mouth for a more pleasant lip appearance.

The perma - frown treatment at LM Medical NYC takes about 15 - 20 minutes, and results can be noticeable in less than a week. While the treatment is not permanent, it can improve the resting face and mouth for 2 - 4 months before the injections need to be repeated.

Patients can schedule a consultation with either the renowned board - certified dermatologist or expert facial plastic surgeon at their clinics in Greenwich Village and the upper east side.

Timeless Med Spa NYC

Botox Treatment for Mouth Corners

Timeless Med Spa NYC offers a Botox® corner mouth lip lift at their UES clinic. When lines appear around the mouth and lips and the corners of the mouth droop, it can change a person's facial expression, making them look sad or upset when at rest. Botox works by relaxing the depressor anguli oris muscle, allowing the elevating muscles to bring the corners of the mouth up easier.

The treatment only takes about 15 - 20 minutes, and there is no downtime needed after the procedure. The results may take a few days to notice and can last for about 3 - 4 months before another treatment is needed to maintain the mouth appearance.

Comparison of Hospitals

Conclusion

In New York City, there are several excellent hospitals and medical facilities that can effectively address the issue of drooping mouth corners. Whether it is caused by facial paralysis or the natural aging process, patients have a variety of treatment options available, from non - surgical Botox treatments to complex surgical procedures. NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, LM Medical NYC, and Timeless Med Spa NYC each have their own specialties and treatment approaches.

If you are experiencing drooping mouth corners, it is advisable to consult with a medical professional at one of these institutions. They can provide a comprehensive evaluation, discuss the most suitable treatment options for your specific situation, and help you achieve a more pleasant and confident appearance. Don't let drooping mouth corners affect your quality of life. Take the first step towards improvement by reaching out to these top - notch medical facilities in New York City today.