erlion
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DISCLAIMER
I am not a licensed professional, this is not medical advice. Please contact a professional before doing any of this. I am not responsible for how people use my facts.
What is a microstomia prevention appliance?
A microstomia prevention appliance is a custom medical appliance used to stop or reduce the severe tightening of the mouth opening after facial burns.
Results (for burn victims) as you can see the effects prevent shrinking and expand the mouth (for permanent effects there needs to be scar tissue involved)
How does it work?
A microstomia prevention appliance works by applying continous or intermittent mechanical stretch to corners of the mouth. There are 2 different types (dynamic and static) and can be applied two different ways (intraoral and extraoral) in other words supported by the teeth and gums or not.
Why you should widen your mouth?
Wide mouth is a dimorphic trait and if you have a big nose, that can skew your mouth to nose ratio (Ideal approx 1.5-1.62).
Examples of the importance of a wide mouth:
The science
Microstomia is a medical term for an abnormally small mouth opening. Microstomia prevention appliances aim to widen the mouth.
When microstomia occurs (usually due to burns, sometimes childhood) the orbicularis oris is severely tightened and becomes intensely fibrotic. The appliance forces this ring of muscle to stay expanded rather than closing and tightening after burns. The buccinator, risorious and zygomaticus are targeted through use of the appliance and targets the corners (oral comissures) to push them outward. study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2585326/) It targets lip line and nasolabial folds to prevent them from freezing in place. Misuse of this device can cause nasolabial folds (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11565195 /)
Why it will never work as a lone procedure(pure cope)?
When a patient (burn victim) has microstomia, and their mouth is healing as it matures a group of specialised cells called myofibroblasts grab the edges of the tissue pulling them tightly inward to close the wound (scar tissue) source you have a burn in this area (around the orbicularis oris) the device is used to apply continous horizontal force, it stops the myofibroblasts from pulling the mouth shut.
When you have a burn that is left alone, the wound deposits collagen randomly creating a dense web of scar tissue. An MPA can be used to force collagen strands to align parallel to the direction of the stretch.
The burn wounds produce collagen contractures which is an aggressive healing response. The MPA can be used to hold the collagen contactures in a stretched out position while it dries and matures over mounths. A healthy person has no active scar tissue to harden into a new shape, there is nothing to lock the stretch in place. Healthy skin is rich in elastin, a protein that allows tissue to stretch and snap back to its original shape.
This device will descend you if you use it on your own
Misuse of this device can cause teeth deformities and TMJ, it wouldn’t surprise me if it also widened your philtrum which is close to your orbicularis oris.
TL;DR you need scar tissue to use this device.
Elastin inhibition will not work
You can use system corticosteroids to suppress creation of new elastin and accelerate existing structural fibers in the skin and blood vessels. In this community people use corticosteroids to make noise smaller because the primary side effect is thinning skin. You could inhibit elastin and stretch out your mouth using this appliance and it would work however the inhibition of elastin around this specific area causes a ‘meltdown effect’ where the skin sags, you develop severe marionette lines and jowls and incontinence of the mouth ( difficulty to keep liquids in the mouth). MPA device is a looksmin if left on its own
Other methods of mouth-widening
Commisuroplasty
A surgical procedure performed to repair, reconstruct or reshape corners of the mouth. Can widen narrow mouth
I am not going to explain commisuroplasty
Here is a good thread
“Surgeons use fine, permanent or dissolvable sutures to close the wound in multiple layers – internal mucosa, muscle, and external skin – to ensure strength and minimise scarring”
This is where the experimental side comes in with use of an MPA.
Could you use an MPA after a commisuroplasty?
In theory, a commisuroplasty could cause enough scar tissue to make a microstomia prevention appliance necessary and stop the new surgical scar tissue from contracting and shrinking the mouth again. This is highly experimental though but it could provide a greater ROI from a commisuroplasty in general and could make sure that scarring is further minimised after sutures, to ensure contraction of the mouth does not occur. I would refrain from using an MPA after a DIY commisuroplasty because you could make it worse without proper orthodontic instruction however if you getting a commisuroplasty professionally then I would consult your surgeon and suggest and ask him about using an MPA in accordance with a commisuroplasty.
Experimental
Pharma for commisuroplasty (improve DIY and surgical results of commisuroplasty)
Skipping routine pharma increases risk of severe pain, risk and poor wound healing
Intralesional Injections (Direct targeting scar tissue)
Corticosteroids which break bonds between collagen fibers and reduce aggressive inflammatory signals that cause it to tighten (Triamcinolone Acetonide)
Sides;
Hypopigmentation, telangiectasisa, delayed wound Healing
5-Fluorouracil – Blocks proliferation of fibroblasts (cells that build scar tissue)
Sides; Hyperpigmentation, tissue necrosis, ulceration and pain
Bleomycin – An antibiotic that suppresses production of new collagen and prevents the scar tissue from growing thicker and resisting the stretch of the MPA.
Sides; significant local pain, hyperpigmentation
Topical corticosteroids can also be used to reduce inflammation.
Sides; Tissue thinning and skin cratering
Hypopigmentation
I have not researched the doses for these drugs but you can use these drugs in combination with a commisuroplasty to get a higher ROI
You can also fraud a wider mouth
Tiny bit of concealer outside outer corners of your lips
I don’t recommend facial or smile excercises as these carry a high risk of developing nasolabial folds
Palate expander can broaden the smile and fix dark corners.
You can fix nose to mouth ratio through making the nose smaller through use corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and isotret (accutane) or treat is commonly used to make nose smaller or the most effective method is rhinoplasty of course.
Studies on efficacy of microstomia
https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article-abstract/9/1/90/4786195
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
TL;DR
I do not recommend getting an MPA on its own, it is a looksmin. However, an MPA combined with a commisuroplasty could show some promising effects but it is experimental. It is not a cope, it can be used well. I also believe you can maximise the effects of commisuroplasty through use of pharma.
erlion
Please rep
@dnplover
@klqa @ohhohh @pinterest
1
I am not a licensed professional, this is not medical advice. Please contact a professional before doing any of this. I am not responsible for how people use my facts.
What is a microstomia prevention appliance?
A microstomia prevention appliance is a custom medical appliance used to stop or reduce the severe tightening of the mouth opening after facial burns.
Results (for burn victims) as you can see the effects prevent shrinking and expand the mouth (for permanent effects there needs to be scar tissue involved)
How does it work?
A microstomia prevention appliance works by applying continous or intermittent mechanical stretch to corners of the mouth. There are 2 different types (dynamic and static) and can be applied two different ways (intraoral and extraoral) in other words supported by the teeth and gums or not.
Why you should widen your mouth?
Wide mouth is a dimorphic trait and if you have a big nose, that can skew your mouth to nose ratio (Ideal approx 1.5-1.62).
Examples of the importance of a wide mouth:
The science
Microstomia is a medical term for an abnormally small mouth opening. Microstomia prevention appliances aim to widen the mouth.
When microstomia occurs (usually due to burns, sometimes childhood) the orbicularis oris is severely tightened and becomes intensely fibrotic. The appliance forces this ring of muscle to stay expanded rather than closing and tightening after burns. The buccinator, risorious and zygomaticus are targeted through use of the appliance and targets the corners (oral comissures) to push them outward. study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2585326/) It targets lip line and nasolabial folds to prevent them from freezing in place. Misuse of this device can cause nasolabial folds (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11565195 /)
Why it will never work as a lone procedure(pure cope)?
When a patient (burn victim) has microstomia, and their mouth is healing as it matures a group of specialised cells called myofibroblasts grab the edges of the tissue pulling them tightly inward to close the wound (scar tissue) source you have a burn in this area (around the orbicularis oris) the device is used to apply continous horizontal force, it stops the myofibroblasts from pulling the mouth shut.
When you have a burn that is left alone, the wound deposits collagen randomly creating a dense web of scar tissue. An MPA can be used to force collagen strands to align parallel to the direction of the stretch.
The burn wounds produce collagen contractures which is an aggressive healing response. The MPA can be used to hold the collagen contactures in a stretched out position while it dries and matures over mounths. A healthy person has no active scar tissue to harden into a new shape, there is nothing to lock the stretch in place. Healthy skin is rich in elastin, a protein that allows tissue to stretch and snap back to its original shape.
This device will descend you if you use it on your own
Misuse of this device can cause teeth deformities and TMJ, it wouldn’t surprise me if it also widened your philtrum which is close to your orbicularis oris.
TL;DR you need scar tissue to use this device.
Elastin inhibition will not work
You can use system corticosteroids to suppress creation of new elastin and accelerate existing structural fibers in the skin and blood vessels. In this community people use corticosteroids to make noise smaller because the primary side effect is thinning skin. You could inhibit elastin and stretch out your mouth using this appliance and it would work however the inhibition of elastin around this specific area causes a ‘meltdown effect’ where the skin sags, you develop severe marionette lines and jowls and incontinence of the mouth ( difficulty to keep liquids in the mouth). MPA device is a looksmin if left on its own
Other methods of mouth-widening
Commisuroplasty
A surgical procedure performed to repair, reconstruct or reshape corners of the mouth. Can widen narrow mouth
I am not going to explain commisuroplasty
Here is a good thread
“Surgeons use fine, permanent or dissolvable sutures to close the wound in multiple layers – internal mucosa, muscle, and external skin – to ensure strength and minimise scarring”
This is where the experimental side comes in with use of an MPA.
Could you use an MPA after a commisuroplasty?
In theory, a commisuroplasty could cause enough scar tissue to make a microstomia prevention appliance necessary and stop the new surgical scar tissue from contracting and shrinking the mouth again. This is highly experimental though but it could provide a greater ROI from a commisuroplasty in general and could make sure that scarring is further minimised after sutures, to ensure contraction of the mouth does not occur. I would refrain from using an MPA after a DIY commisuroplasty because you could make it worse without proper orthodontic instruction however if you getting a commisuroplasty professionally then I would consult your surgeon and suggest and ask him about using an MPA in accordance with a commisuroplasty.
Experimental
Pharma for commisuroplasty (improve DIY and surgical results of commisuroplasty)
Skipping routine pharma increases risk of severe pain, risk and poor wound healing
Intralesional Injections (Direct targeting scar tissue)
Corticosteroids which break bonds between collagen fibers and reduce aggressive inflammatory signals that cause it to tighten (Triamcinolone Acetonide)
Sides;
Hypopigmentation, telangiectasisa, delayed wound Healing
5-Fluorouracil – Blocks proliferation of fibroblasts (cells that build scar tissue)
Sides; Hyperpigmentation, tissue necrosis, ulceration and pain
Bleomycin – An antibiotic that suppresses production of new collagen and prevents the scar tissue from growing thicker and resisting the stretch of the MPA.
Sides; significant local pain, hyperpigmentation
Topical corticosteroids can also be used to reduce inflammation.
Sides; Tissue thinning and skin cratering
Hypopigmentation
I have not researched the doses for these drugs but you can use these drugs in combination with a commisuroplasty to get a higher ROI
You can also fraud a wider mouth
Tiny bit of concealer outside outer corners of your lips
I don’t recommend facial or smile excercises as these carry a high risk of developing nasolabial folds
Palate expander can broaden the smile and fix dark corners.
You can fix nose to mouth ratio through making the nose smaller through use corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and isotret (accutane) or treat is commonly used to make nose smaller or the most effective method is rhinoplasty of course.
Studies on efficacy of microstomia
https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article-abstract/9/1/90/4786195
The Presence and Presentation of Microstomia in Burn Survivors: A Burn Model System Study - PubMed
Microstomia, or small oral aperture, often results from facial burns. This condition appears as scars form within the oral tissue and at the oral commissures, narrowing the oral opening, and leading to mobility, speech, respiratory difficulties, emotional distress, and social interaction...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
TL;DR
I do not recommend getting an MPA on its own, it is a looksmin. However, an MPA combined with a commisuroplasty could show some promising effects but it is experimental. It is not a cope, it can be used well. I also believe you can maximise the effects of commisuroplasty through use of pharma.
erlion
Please rep
@dnplover
@klqa @ohhohh @pinterest
1
