Can't Fully Smile or Raise Cheeks after Jaw Reduction with Botox, Options?

asked 9 months ago by Missybee
Latest answer by Peter A. Aldea, MD
Question viewed 548 times
Tags: jaw line, smile, 1 week post-op

I just got botox for jaw reduction done a week ago. I've done it before and love the result as it did slim my face. But this time, I went to another doctor as he's a bit cheaper and I'm having problem smiling after the injection's done. I can't smile all the way into a big smile and my cheeks don't rise up! It's like there's weight on my cheeks and it looks awful! What went wrong and is there any way to correct? Or I just have to suck it up and wait for it to go away?

11 answers to Can't Fully Smile or Raise Cheeks after Jaw Reduction with Botox, Options?

Botox for jaw reduction

All good feedback from the panel members. Unfortunatey, only time will improve this negative outcome as the effects of the Botox gradually wears off. Also, being that it has been only one week, your effects may continue to improve. Most importantly, we encourage all patients to report their concerns to the one that did the treatment.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Facial Paralysis as a result of a Bargain Masseter (Chewing) Muscle Botox Reducation

I am sorry for your situation which by now I hope is much better. Obviously you did not save much by having a "cheaper" doctor inject your Masseter (the chewing) muscle with Botox to make it less prominent. It appears that in addition to injecting the muscle Botox was injected near the nerves and muscles involved in smiling causing a facial weakness (much like a mild stroke). I can only hope the Botox given you was also cheaper because it was old and overly watered down... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Smile affected by facial botox

Off-label use of Botox for facial thinning by treating the chewing muscles (masseter hypertrophy) can diffuse or inadvertently be injected into a different muscle than one that is desired, and there can be loss of function of the mouth elevators. Not only could there be difficulty smiling, but if one side is done differently than the other, there can be significant cosmetic asymmetry and it will take four months to go away.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Smile issues post masseter Botox

When Botox is injected to far forward (anteriorly) and high (superiorly) in the masseter muscle, it can weaken the muscles that lift the corners of the mouth that attach to the cheek bone. This can happen when the procedure is done for cosmetic purposes or for teeth clenching/grinding. Fortunately it sounds like you are symmetrical, but unfortunately it will improve only with time.

Madeline Krauss, MD
Boston Dermatologic Surgeon

Muscles won't move properly post Botox

First, if you only had it done a week ago, you need to wait a bit for it to entirely kick into all muscles that were injected. I'd say 2 weeks out and you should be able to see the full effects of where you were injected; hopefully some of the muscles have taken it in and some haven't and that may counteract some of what you're seeing. Second, it sounds like some of the areas may have been over-injected and that's why you are having problems smiling or moving your cheeks.... more

F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist

www.lakesdermatology.com

Botox is effective for masseter hypertrophy

Botox injections are very effective at narrowing the lower face and thinning the jaw muscle. The condition where this muscle has thickened is called masseter hypertrophy. Not only can injections in this muscle improve cosmesis, it can reduce jaw pain, TMJ pain and headaches from grinding your teeth at night. It is important to inject deeply into the muscle, otherwise the Botox will get into the superficial facial muscles and cause a problem with smiling. Unfortunately, you... more

James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Fort Lauderdale Botox

I agree with much of the aforementioned responses. I would encourage direct communication with the injector to let them know this occurred. Dr. Krauss is pointing out a very important anatomical point to avoid deep placement of neurotoxin.

Will Richardson, MD
Fort Lauderdale Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox and Jaw Reduction

The good and the bad about Botox is that it goes away so you will regain your normal function in a few months. It sounds as if too many units were used, and the placement was a bit off. This is a tricky area to inject. If you liked the results from your first injector, it is well worth the extra expense to get a great result!

Sheri G. Feldman, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologist

Loss of smile after jaw muscle injection with Botox

It sounds like too much Botox was injected, and/or it spread beyond the jaw angle portion of the masseter muscle. Unfortunately it will probably take 1-3 months to improve, there is no effective way to speed this up

Marialyn Sardo, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

You got a bad treatment.

It will wear off. Don't save money this way. Remember the expression: you get what you pay for. There is no way to speed this process up. I would recommend returning to your original injecting physician when this treatment resolves.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Can;t fully smile or raise cheeks after jaw reduction with Botox

I assume you had Botox injected in your masseter muscles. Apparently you had too much Botox injected this time, and some of it diffused into your facial muscles. I don't think there is a truly effective antidote to this problem. Fortunately, the problem is self limited and in 3-4 months you will probably be back to normal. It is always important to be treated by an experienced Board Certifie Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon.