Will Botox Work For Geniospasm?

Q: I suffer from a condition called Geniospasm, which affects the mentalis muscle.
I have read that it might be possible to treat this condition with Botox injections.
Have you had any experiences with this condition? What are your thoughts?

A: Geniospasm is a rare movement or tremor disorder of the mentalis muscle of the chin. Because the muscle has its origins from the bottom of the chin bone and inserts into the soft tissue of the chin and lower lip, involuntary up and down movements of the chin and lip will result. They are uncontrollable and episodic which makes it a socially embarrassing problem.  Interestingly, it has been shown to have a genetic basis being linked to chromosome 9q13-q21 and is reported to have a strong autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The movements are usually continuous albeit at a low level. (i.e. a tremor) But stress and other triggersd may make it go into more obvious spasm.

While I have never seen in my Indianapolis plastic surgery practice a patient with geniospasm, I am certain that Botox would be an excellent treatment. Since Botox is a muscle paralyzing/weakening agent, it would work quite well.

While I have not treated a patient with this specific mentalis disorder, I have done numerous mentalis muscle injections for dimpling and unaesthetic contractions of the muscle causing chin soft tissue deformities. I have found Botox (or Dysport) to be very effective for this muscle problem. While the injections are not permanent, you should expect about four months of relief before additional injections would be needed. Most patients will need about 20 units as a startign dose whichi will have to be individually tailored based on response. (more or less units) After injection, results will be seen in about seven to ten days.

Another treatment option could be selective resection of portions of the muscle done from inside the mouth. This may help break the muscle spasm in the resected areas.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana