Chipmunk Cheeks - botox or buccal lipectomy? (photos)

Question

I would really appreciate your professional advice about my lower part of face. I'm not sure if my Chipmunk cheeks are from fat or the fact I have been teeth grinding while sleeping. My mother has this problem area huge similar to a turtle neck and I can see the beginning of this on myself. My lip corners are starting to go down as well, would botox help? I also don't like my chin, I would like to be pointy, so I am wondering is this possible to accomplish with fillers? Thank you for your time!

Shanthala Shivananjappa, MD · Answer

Botox or Dysport injection for masseter muscle can reshape  and slim your face, helps with grinding and prevents further bone loss. In my opinion carefully placed fillers will improve both the chin area and your lip corners.

Your information and photos are not adequate enough to suggest if you need skin tightening procedures for further contouring of your face at this time. In my opinion you should find an experienced physician who can evaluate you in person and  guide you in the right direction.

Best of luck

Dr. Shanthala

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Botox to help with teeth grinding is a great option but in your case this treatment will not have a beneficial cosmetic result for you.  I would consider a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Carlos L. Wolf, MD · Answer

Botox is a great product for many things, but it's not the answer for you! The fact that you have fat along your jowl area Botox would not work. It would be more likely treated with facial LIPO- suction or Ultherapy would be a better choice. Buccal  fat is located much higher up and if you were grinding your teeth the swelling that you would have would he higher up between your jawline  and your ear.  Your chin could be made more pronounced by using any one of many fillers that are available.

R. Brannon Claytor, MD, FACS · Answer

GALTOX education

Muscle hypertrophy from repeat grinding of teeth when patients are sleeping may result in overly prominent masseter muscles. This can be examined by clenching ones jaw and looking at the contours of the jaw line. If the jaw line looks more pronounced and a palpable firm area is noted indicating flexed muscle then this would warrant an evaluation by a physician hopefully a plastic surgeon with expert command of the anatomy of the face and consideration for botox treatment of this area.

Buccal lipectomy is an extreme intervention. Consideration for this should be undertaken only after exhaustive evaluation of non surgical and conservative care.

Chin hypoplasia may be amenable to filler and would be a temporary treatment.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Botox to the masseter is a great option for contouring the jaw. Another option would be VASER/ThermiRF. I recommend getting a formal consultation with a facial contouring expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Chipmunk Cheeks - botox or buccal lipectomy? (photos)

Answers (5)