Can Botox Prevent Cheek Movement when Smiling? (photo)

Question

Whenever my face is at rest I appear to have very well defined cheeks that aren't large. Whenever I smile though my cheeks contract and look much larger and makes my face appear rounder. Can botox help prevent my cheeks from becoming bigger like in the picture I submitted? Also can this be done with other types of fillers than just Botox?

Theda C. Kontis, MD · Answer

I'm not sure if it is your cheeks that are the problem, but you do have something called a gummy smile. I use Botox to drop the upper lip so that the gums are not evident when you smile. Weakening these may cause you to have less of a cheek mound when you smils, so it may be worth your while to try it. Only a very small dose is needed on either side of the nose--just a few units. Find a doctor who has experience with this technique and who will let you pay by the unit.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

When most people smile, it does raise the cheeks and make them appear rounder.  This is a fairly normal result of the smile.  I wouldn't recommend any treatment for this particular issue, as it is normal.

Mark Deutsch, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for submitting your photos.  Your smile actually appears very normal and natural.   Botox is a paralytic agent rather than a filler such as Juvederm or Restylane.  The addition of a filler to your nasolabial folds would lessen the depth of their creases but doing so would increase the appearance of fullness to your cheeks. One must be careful injecting Botox below the cheek area as it could cause unwanted side effects.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Botox can prevent you from smiling but it can also make your smile crooked. It is best not to use Botox near the muscles that elevate the lip or the corners of the mouth.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Botox if used on the cheeks will prevent a smile. It is a neurotoxin it is not a filler material which will not do that.

Can Botox Prevent Cheek Movement when Smiling? (photo)

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Answer: Botox can effect smiling

Answer: Botox can effect smiling

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Can Botox Prevent Cheek Movement when Smiling? (photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Botox can effect smiling

Answer: Botox can effect smiling

Answer: Botox and cheeks

Answer: Botox and cheeks

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.