Bell's Palsy: Etiology, Management and Dental Implications

Bell's palsy is the most common mononeuropathy that causes acute unilateral facial paralysis or paresis. The condition peaks within 72 h and may be associated with numerous signs and symptoms, including post-auricular pain, drooping of the eyelid, loss of taste sensation and decreased lacrimation. Although the etiology of the condition is unknown, inflammation, viral infection, ischemia and anatomy of the facial nerve have all been implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. Diagnosis and determination of etiology are significant in the early management of this condition. Most incidents resolve spontaneously; however, treatment reduces cases of incomplete recovery and entails the use of corticosteroids, with a possible role for antivirals if a viral etiology is suspected. For patients with incomplete recovery, long-term complications have esthetic, physiological and psychological implications, which greatly affect their quality of life. The purpose of this article is to summarize the current literature on etiology, diagnosis and management of Bell's palsy.