Are Mouth Widening Scars Bad?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am considering a mouth widening procedure in the future as my mouth is a bit small for my face. What do the finished results of lateral commissuroplasty look like? There are no photos online showing what post operation heal scarring from commissuroplasty look like. Is the scarring bad? If you were face to face with someone is the scar noticeable from 1 feet distance? Please help me, I would like to know bad the scar from commissurplasty is before I determine whether it is really worth scar or not.

A: In my extensive experience with mouth widening surgery, while it is an effective procedure, scars are a concern and just about 100% of patients undergo secondary scar revisions from it. The corner of the mouth is an exquisitely sensitive area for incisions and scar formation. It is not like the rest of lips due to its location and frequent exposure to stretching forces.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana