Masseter Muscle Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have problem with my masseter muscle.(Masseteric muscle hypertrophy). I heard about electrocauterization procedure in your clinic. Is that a permanent solution? What is the average cost of the treatment? Can i try to become pregnant soon after the procedure? or how long should I wait?

A: Electrocautery reduction of the masseter muscle is a permanent procedure as it shrinks part of the muscle due to the thermal injury. This is done through an intraoral approach with elevation of the muscle off of the mandibular ramus bone. Electrocautery is then applied to the internal surface of the muscle throughout its entire length and width. A portion of the muscle will then eventually shrink down as some percent of the muscle fibers/cells die due to necrosis. This is a process that will take a full three months to see the final result when the muscle atrophy is fully complete. This is a masseter muscle reduction procedure that is less commonly performed than Botox injections or external radio frequency treatments.

Trying to become pregnant immediately after a masseter muscle reductionprocedure is not a concern as the masseter muscle has nothing to do with that process.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana