Are The Risks Of Scarring Increased In Chinese Patients For Mouth Widening Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, What are the reservations of my ethnicity in regards to mouth widening surgery? I am Chinese so would there be any issues? Also would there be scarring? I am very interested in this procedure yet I am quite scared of the risks because I do know it involves cutting the orbicularis muscle. I also do not see this as a popular procedure and it seems like a very rare one. My mouth is very imbalanced with the rest of my face as I have a wider face and my smile looks way too small when I smile.

A: Scars at the corner of the mouth are always a concern in any patients with an form of corner of the mouth surgery. But in Caucasian patients that does not usually turn out to be a problem But in patient with intermediate skin pigments (e.g., Asian patients) those scarring risks are increased since such skin tends to be more reactive and the risk of hypertrophic scarring is increased.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana