How Can I Even out my Cheek Muscles?

Question

I went to a doctor and they said my left cheek muscle is bigger than my right cheek muscle because I bite on my teeth more on one side than theother. I want you to please help me find excersizes that may decrease the largeness of the left cheek muscle. May I ask what type of doctor you are? (non surgical options)

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The muscles you are referring to are your masseter (chewing) muscles. It is not unusual to chew or clench more on one side of the mouth than the other, which can lead to an asymmetrical jawline in some people. The good news is that this can easily be corrected without surgery, using injections of a neuromodulator like Botox. Botox relaxes the muscle, reducing its size to create a more even facial contour. While this treatment is not surgery, it does require a great deal of precision in both needle placement and dosing amount to achieve the best possible result. Make sure you work with an experienced injector with the expertise necessary to produce an optimal outcome.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Dear Jenifer17,You can inject Botox or Dysport or Xeomin into the masseter muscle which connects the cheekbone to the jawboneYou would inject it in the area that is most fullI am a facial plastic surgeon and  my training has allowed me to see all the anatomy from skin to boneInjecting the masseter at the level of the cheekbone is a little more delicate and takes specialized knowledge in that areaBest regards,
  
Dr. Nima
  
Member, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
  
Board Certified in Head and Neck Surgery

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

There are a variety of non-surgical options to help achieve a more
symmetrical face. The muscles you are talking about are not cheek muscles, they
are actually muscles in the jaw called masseter muscles. The masseters can
often be reduced effectively with Botox injections; you may consider this to
decrease the size of the muscle on the left size. Alternatively, filler
injections could help to make the right side more prominent in order to better
match the left. I recommend visiting a board-certified dermatologist for an
in-person consultation to evaluate your concerns and come up with the best
custom treatment plan for you.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

A botox injection in your Masseter Muscle (along the jaw) can shrink this muscle in just a few weeks. The effect lasts several months and has a very quick recovery. You can get this done on a lunch break from work with your favorite plastic surgeon.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial photographs and an in-person examination are required to make a determination about the anatomy and what is causing the asymmetry of the cheeks. The cheeks consist of the maxillary bone, cheek fat, facial muscles, and skin. Cheek implants are also placed for patients have a flat maxilla and a flat mid- face. When this asymmetry is present, the implants can be custom carved when necessary match patient unique anatomy. For many examples and more information, please see the link and the video below

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

Your masseter muscle is larger on your left cheek than your right. It may be caused by chewing more on the left side. You could try chewing on the right side to see if it helps even out the muscles but Botox injected into the left masseter would help decrease its size.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

The muscles to which you refer are the jaw (masseter) muscles, there are no cheek muscles per se. The size of the masseter muscle can be reduced by repeated Botox injections. Its effects can be seen quite quickly but must be repeated three or four times over a year to have a sustained effect.

Michael A. Carron, MD · Answer

there are two muscles (one on each side of the vertical aspect of your jaw), they are the masseter muscles.  If you clench and/or grind your teeth then those muscles are contracting.  Many times, there is one side of the jaw that is more heavily used than the other and THAT side tends to be larger (hypertrophied).   Headaches, face aches, tender jaws and temples are the hall-mark.  Injections of neuromodulators into the muscle to decrease the activity or a very custom made "bite block" that you wear at night will help with this. 

	 

	The other thing that your doctor needs to ensure is that this is truly an enlargement of the muscle....and not a swelling or possible tumor the salivary gland of the cheek.  The gland is the parotid gland.  This is evaluated with a CAT scan

Kimberly Lee, MD · Answer

There are several non-surgical options to help make more symmetry between the two sides to either slim down the larger cheek muscle or to make the other side fuller. If you choose a non-surgical option, please know that the results will not be permanent. Please consult with a board certified specialist who can assist you in achieving the results you seek.

H. George Brennan, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

The muscles to which you refer are the jaw (masseter) muscles, there are no cheek muscles per se. The size of the masseter muscle can be reduced by repeated Botox injections. Its effects can be seen quite quickly but must be repeated three or four times over a year to have a sustained effect.

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