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Oral Commissures

Do you feel that your mouth makes you look sad or upset when you’re not? This is often caused by the appearance of the oral commissures where the upper and lower lips meet at the corners of the mouth. 

Overactive facial muscles and the loss of skin elasticity resulting from ageing can also make oral commissures appear more noticeable. 

Also referred to as marionette lines, they tend to worsen over time, contributing to an angry or sad-looking appearance.

  • Oral Commissures
    $110
    Muscle Relaxant
  • 1ml Dermal Filler
    $550
    *Please note that dermal filler pricing is applicable across all b clinic locations, excluding Queen St, Brisbane City clinic.

Treating Oral Commissures

Thankfully, there is a treatment available to rejuvenate the appearance of this area, providing a lift that creates more positive contours around the mouth. 

Injections of dermal fillers can restore lost volume and lift sagging skin around the mouth, creating a more youthful and uplifting appearance.

It is also possible to treat the oral commissures with muscle relaxant injections

To better understand the difference between the two, make sure you read our guide on comparing them

The depressor anguli oris muscles pull down the corners of the mouth when you frown and cause oral commissure lines. 

With repetitive movement over time, these lines become statics and visible with a resting facial expression. Muscle relaxant injections cause these muscles to relax, may give a subtle lift to the area around the mouth.

Who is suitable for Oral Commissures Treatment?

Candidates for this treatment are adults who feel the lines around their mouth make them look sad, angry, or older than they are. 

Age, genetics, and muscle movement patterns all contribute to the appearance of this area. Ideal candidates have marionette lines caused by excess sagging skin, which can be treated effectively with dermal filler injections. 

This treatment is appropriate for most adults, both women and men, in good general health.

What to Expect

Oral commissure lines can be treated during a short clinic visit. During the treatment, dermal fillers are injected into the area around the mouth. 

Once injected, this material fills out the skin from the inside, adding volume to plump the oral commissure lines, creating a more youthful look.

Many clients report that the results of dermal filler injections can be seen immediately. 

The full results should be visible within just a few days. 

The effects gradually fade, and the oral commissures will reappear in 8 to 12 months. 

What Causes Oral Commissure Lines?

Several factors can contribute to the formation of oral commissure lines. A loss of volume in the cheeks, the effects of gravity, and the ageing process all play a role in causing the corners of the mouth to droop. 

One of the most common causes is the repetitive movement of the depressor anguli oris muscles in the jaw. These muscles run from the corners of the lips down to the chin and are responsible for the down turning of the mouth when you frown. 

Over time, the repetitive use of these muscles can make it appear as though you are frowning even when you have a resting facial expression. 

The ageing process can also make downturned corners of the mouth appear more prominent. This is because the body produces less of the proteins collagen and elastin. These proteins are what makes your skin appear plump and firm. 

Over time, the skin can become less springy and start to sag, making the corners of the mouth appear to droop. 

Certain lifestyle choices can also make the appearance of oral commissure lines appear more severe. For example, smoking and overexposure to the sun’s powerful UV rays can damage the skin and accelerate the ageing process. 

Is There Any Downtime?

There is little to no downtime associated with dermal filler injections for oral commissures. Once the procedure is done, you can immediately resume your regular daily routine and carry on with the rest of your day. 

Your clinician may recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity for the first 24 hours and advise that you don’t use any saunas or hot baths for the first couple of days. 

Are Filler Injections in the Corners of the Mouth Painful?

We use an advanced cannula technique and a local anesthetic that minimises any discomfort. 

You may experience a short pinprick sensation for each application, but dermal filler injections are relatively painless. If you are particularly sensitive to pain, your clinician may apply a local anaesthetic to numb the area before treatment.

When Will I See the Results?

You will see an immediate improvement after the treatment. 

There may be some mild swelling and redness after the procedure, but this will subside over the following days, and you will be able to see the full treatment results. 

How Long Do Dermal Filler Results Last?

For most clients, the results from an oral commissure line treatment last for 8-12 months. Dermal filler injections are a non-permanent rejuvenation treatment. 

Over time, the body will break down the dermal filler product, and the area will return to its pre-treatment appearance. 

Your clinician may recommend that you return to the clinic for a top-up treatment every 6-8 months to maintain your desired results.

Possible Risks and Complications

After undergoing dermal filler injections, clients generally feel some degree of redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness. These side effects last for a few days post-procedure. Visible effects can be camouflaged safely with make-up.

Serious complications are rare but can include infection and an allergic reaction to the filler material.

It is also possible for the injected filler to gather in lumps underneath the skin. Often, such bumps can be massaged to redistribute the filler. 

In other cases, these remain until the body absorbs the injected material. 

To avoid disrupting the distribution of the dermal filler, avoid rubbing or touching the area around your mouth for several days after undergoing an oral commissure treatment.

How Much Do Oral Commissure Fillers Cost?

Treating the area around the mouth (oral commissures) with dermal fillers costs start at $550.

The treatment is often combined with muscle relaxant injections for a more dramatic change in appearance.

These treatments come with an added cost of around $110.

Schedule a free consultation visit to discuss your treatment specifics and receive a personalised quote.