Will my chin scrunch fade if I keep my mouth closed often?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a scrunch on my chin when I close my mouth. I have had it for years now. At first, I thought it was because I am a mouth breather and my mouth has been open for so long, so I need to use muscles to close it.

After getting Invisalign, my orthodontist said that it would fix itself if I learned to close my mouth while using it. I tried my best, I finished my course about three years ago, and I wear retainers. I am still more of a mouth breather, but I want to know if it is gonna fix itself if I try keeping my mouth closed most of the time.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

The "scrunch" you notice on your chin when you close your mouth is typically due to overactive mentalis muscles. These muscles contract to seal your lips, resulting in a dimpled or "orange-peel" effect. This is common among individuals with a history of mouth breathing or those with a weaker chin structure.

While orthodontic treatment with Invisalign effectively improves your bite and tooth alignment, it does not automatically retrain the associated muscles. If you have been experiencing this for many years, it is unlikely to disappear completely just by keeping your mouth closed. However, practicing nasal breathing and maintaining proper tongue posture will significantly reduce strain on those muscles over time.

Often, the scrunch persists because your muscles have adapted to this habit. Many find that myofunctional therapy, or exercises designed to retrain oral and facial muscles, can lead to noticeable improvement.

Additionally, some individuals opt for cosmetic solutions, like small doses of Botox, to relax the mentalis muscle. Since you tend to breathe through your mouth, it is essential to address the root causes, whether that is nasal obstruction, a habitual pattern, or posture. Actively keeping your mouth closed is a positive step forward, and certain oral devices are available to help you learn to breathe through your nose.

If the chin dimpling is a concern and you are looking for a quicker solution, Botox therapy with a qualified dermatologist or facial specialist could be an excellent option.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.