Bilateral facial nerve paralysis: a case report and review of literature

ABSTRACT

Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy is an exceedingly rare condition with aetiology often heralding the presence of a serious underlying medical illness. Mastication, speech and aesthetics are disturbed. The face is totally immobile and conveys no messages through facial expression. Frequently these patients are treated as if they are emotionally and mentally incompetent. Most patients require oral hygiene maintenance, mouth opening exercises and eliminating the source of possible odontogenic infection. There are many surgical procedures which can be of benefit depending on the patient's particular problem with the goal to support the mouth at rest and provide animation of the mouth and cheek