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The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral-shaped muscle found on both sides of the face near the cheeks. It is involved in several functions, including whistling, smiling, suckling, and blowing air. While it is rare for the buccinator muscle to be oversized, some people may seek ways to reduce its size or the bulkiness of their cheeks. This can be achieved through surgical procedures, such as buccal fat pad removal or liposuction, or non-surgical methods like facial yoga and specific chewing techniques. However, it is important to consult with medical professionals before considering any procedure or intervention.
How to reduce the buccinator muscle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buccinator Muscle |
| Description | A thin, quadrilateral facial muscle near the cheeks |
| Location | Side of the face between the upper and lower jaws |
| Function | Pulls back the angle of the mouth, tenses the cheeks, and aids in whistling, smiling, and suckling |
| Reduction Techniques | Facial yoga, facial liposuction, and Kybella injections |
| Medical Procedures | Buccal fat pad removal, buccinator muscle repositioning, and Botox |
| Considerations | Consult a certified plastic surgeon or medical professional |
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What You'll Learn
Facial yoga techniques
Facial yoga is a great way to reduce the buccinator muscle and improve your overall facial aesthetics. The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral muscle located on both cheeks, which can begin to sag as we age, leading to an undesirable appearance. Facial yoga can help stretch and reduce this muscle, improving the contour of your face. Here are some specific techniques and exercises to try:
- Fish Face: This pose specifically targets the muscles around the mouth and jaw, aiding in strengthening and toning. Suck in your cheeks and purse your lips, resembling a fish face. Hold this pose for a few seconds and repeat several times.
- Chin Lift: This exercise helps stretch and relax the muscles around the jaw and neck, providing relief from tension and discomfort. Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling, then push your lower jaw forward while keeping your upper lip covered by your upper teeth. You should feel the muscles in your neck and jaw stretch and engage. Hold this pose for a few seconds and repeat several times.
- Lip Stretch: This exercise helps to stretch the buccinator muscle directly. Smile widely, stretching your lips as far apart as possible, then push your jaw forward. Hold this pose for a few seconds and repeat several times.
- Cheekbone Exercise: This targets the muscles around the cheeks and helps to reduce puffiness. Inflate your cheeks and push the air from one side to the other, moving it back and forth. This exercise helps to build the muscles around the cheeks, reducing the prominence of the buccinator muscle.
In addition to these specific poses, focusing on proper chewing and swallowing techniques can also aid in atrophying the buccinator muscle. As we transition from childhood to adulthood, the buccinator muscle is meant to atrophy as we adopt adult chewing and swallowing methods. Eating hard foods instead of soft, processed foods can help encourage this process.
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Botox
In terms of the buccinator muscle, Botox is not typically used to reduce its size or make the face appear slimmer. This is because buccinator muscle hypertrophy is usually not the reason for a "chubby" face. Instead, the cause may be fat, bone structure, or excess facial volume due to masseter muscle hypertrophy. Injecting Botox into the buccinator muscle can cause problems with oral competence, such as difficulty smiling and speaking.
However, Botox injections into the buccinator muscle have been found effective in treating facial synkinesis, a condition that can develop following facial nerve palsy or Bell's palsy. Facial synkinesis is characterised by involuntary facial movements that occur simultaneously with voluntary movements of muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve. It can cause a range of symptoms, including a mild sensation of mid-facial tightness, significant pain, limited mimetic expression, reduced visibility, cheek biting, and difficulty eating.
It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before undergoing any cosmetic or medical procedure, including Botox injections. They will be able to assess your individual needs and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
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Liposuction
While it is rare for buccinator muscles to be oversized, some people seek a more inward or concave shape to their mid-cheek region. This can be achieved through perioral liposuction, a procedure that removes fat from the lower cheeks and jawline. This type of liposuction can be performed in conjunction with buccal lipectomies and buccinator myectomies to maximise the effect of cheek reduction and improve the definition of cheekbones.
Perioral liposuction is a defatting procedure that can be used to create a facial reshaping effect. It involves the removal of fat from the buccal fat pads, which are located in the lower cheeks and jawline. This procedure is often sought by patients desiring a more inward appearance to their mid-cheek region between the cheekbones and jawline.
The buccal fat pads are located under the buccinator muscles and are typically the cause of bulkiness in the cheeks. During the procedure, an elliptical excision of mucosa, fat, and muscle is made, staying below the location of the parotid duct. This technique is similar to the one used for buccal mucosal graft harvests for urethral reconstruction and has been observed to heal well without adverse scarring or infection.
In addition to perioral liposuction, buccal lipectomies and buccinator myectomies can also be performed to reduce the size of the buccinator muscles and create a more inward contour to the outer cheeks. These procedures involve the partial removal or tightening of the muscle fibres, which run front to back, creating a more defined cheekbone structure.
It is important to consult with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and determine if you are a suitable candidate for these procedures.
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Kybella injections
Kybella is a nonsurgical injectable treatment to reduce submental fat, or double chin. It is the only FDA-approved injectable drug for this purpose. The treatment is also called injection lipolysis, as it breaks down fat through injection.
Kybella is the commercial name for synthetic deoxycholic acid, a molecule produced naturally by the body to break down and absorb dietary fat. When injected into the fat below the skin, Kybella breaks down fat cells in that area. After the fat cells are destroyed, immune cells called macrophages move in.
The treatment takes about 15 to 20 minutes. First, the healthcare worker will numb the area with ice or a numbing cream. They will then mark out the area to be treated under your chin using dots to form a grid-like pattern. They will then inject each dot from the same syringe of Kybella. The shots are usually about 1 centimetre apart. The number of injections depends on how much fat is in your chin and your desired look; 20 shots is typical, but it could be as high as 50. It should not be painful.
You can get up to six Kybella shots for maximum results. Most people need at least two or three treatments to see results. The treatments should be spaced about four to six weeks apart. Once the deoxycholic acid destroys the fat cells in that area of your chin, they can no longer store fat, so the results should be permanent. However, if you gain a significant amount of weight, you may see some fat return to that area.
Kybella has only been approved for use in the chin area. There may be other risks when used "off-label" for other areas of the body. The average cost of injection lipolysis is $941, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In most cases, insurance does not cover Kybella shots because it is a cosmetic procedure.
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Surgical buccinator muscle repositioning
The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral-shaped muscle that lies on the side of the face near the cheeks. It plays a crucial role in controlling the bolus during mastication, preventing food from escaping by "compressing the cheeks" against the molars. In some cases, the buccinator muscle may have an abnormal attachment, which can interfere with oral functions and hygiene.
One case study describes a successful buccinator muscle repositioning procedure in a 30-year-old female patient. The patient presented with a high buccinator muscle attachment, which impeded oral hygiene and proper prosthetic management. The surgery involved apical repositioning of the muscle, followed by the placement of a fixed bridge. The long-term results were favourable, as the patient was able to maintain good oral hygiene post-surgery.
While surgical buccinator muscle repositioning is a rare procedure, it can provide a solution for individuals experiencing functional and psychosocial difficulties due to anatomical abnormalities of the buccinator muscle. The use of acrylic stents and careful surgical techniques helps to ensure a positive outcome, improving oral health and overall quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
The buccinator muscle is a thin, quadrilateral facial muscle found on each cheek, near the upper and lower jaws. It is involved in suckling, whistling, smiling, and blowing air from the mouth.
Some people may want to reduce their buccinator muscle if they feel it interferes with their facial aesthetics. However, it is important to note that muscles are important and serve a purpose, so reducing or atrophying the muscle may not be the best approach.
Some people suggest that facial yoga techniques and changing the way you chew can help reduce the buccinator muscle. Improving your posture and oral hygiene may also help.
In rare cases where the buccinator muscle is oversized, a procedure called buccal fat pad removal can be done to reduce buccal fat compartments and improve cheekbone definition. Liposuction and Kybella injections are other possible options, but it is important to consult a certified medical professional for advice.
Yes, botox can be used to deactivate muscles and reduce their appearance, but it is important to consult a medical professional before taking any such action.
