Conclusion

Abstract

After injury and regeneration of both the facial (motor) and trigeminal (sensory) nerves, noninvasive interventions which ensure a forced use of ipsilateral vibrissae, or which manually stimulate the denervated vibrissal muscles, improve whisking function when compared to no treatment. In contrast, direct electric stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves has a deleterious effect on the quality of muscle reinnervation and recovery of function.