In patients with a recent injury to the facial nerve, the deficient nerve stimulation from the facial nerve can be replaced with that from another nerve source such as a nerve branch from the nerve to masseter. This is a nerve in the cheek which supplies one of the chewing muscles. Transfer of a branch of this nerve can be used to power the facial muscles and help create a smile. This can only be done in those whose facial muscles are still healthy, and you would need to be evaluated in clinic to determine if you are a candidate for this.