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What Causes An Indentation Under The Cheek Bone That Looks Like A Dimple?

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Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016
Question: I have developed an indentation just under the cheek bone that looks like a large dimple. I have a much smaller less noticeable indentation on the other side in around the same area but not nearly as bad and not as deep. These just appeared. I have had no trauma or injury to the face. No acne and No infections of the teeth or mouth. I do have a clenching habit and tend hold stress in the jaw. I also wear alignets at night as a retainer from Invisalign after straightening some small crowding of my lower teeth. Could the clenching have anything to do with it? Have you seen/ heard of this before? Had an MD I work with take a look. She hypothesized that muscle changes to the area are causing the skin to be pulled in an odd way to create the indent.
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Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
May be related to orthodontic appliance

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain you have observed sudden formation of the indentation under the cheek bone along with no history of any trauma or infection or any other form of disturbances..
It can either be due to loss of fat ( subcutaneous fat) in that area, but is generally associated with trauma and infection..

Other reason can be that as you are wearing orthodontic appliances for correction of misalignment of teeth, then irregular and Excessive application of forces can lead to excessive and un-uniform pulling of teeth and muscles and can gradually lead to development of indentation..
Although such conditions can be seen rarely..

I would suggest X-rays of the face to rule out the exact cause of the symptoms. Discuss with either an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon.

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Dr. Honey Arora

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Practicing since :2011

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What Causes An Indentation Under The Cheek Bone That Looks Like A Dimple?

Brief Answer: May be related to orthodontic appliance Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain you have observed sudden formation of the indentation under the cheek bone along with no history of any trauma or infection or any other form of disturbances.. It can either be due to loss of fat ( subcutaneous fat) in that area, but is generally associated with trauma and infection.. Other reason can be that as you are wearing orthodontic appliances for correction of misalignment of teeth, then irregular and Excessive application of forces can lead to excessive and un-uniform pulling of teeth and muscles and can gradually lead to development of indentation.. Although such conditions can be seen rarely.. I would suggest X-rays of the face to rule out the exact cause of the symptoms. Discuss with either an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.