How to repair a "retainer face"

Generally, "retainer face" refers to certain facial changes—such as facial hollowing, prominent cheekbones, and sunken temples—that some patients may experience during orthodontic treatment. Retainer face can be corrected through methods such as massage, normal chewing exercises, hyaluronic acid fillers, autologous fat grafting, or facial thread lifting surgery. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Massage

Routine clockwise facial massage can promote blood circulation and relieve tension in facial muscles. Long-term, consistent massage helps facilitate the recovery of facial muscles.

2. Normal Chewing Exercises

Prolonged use of braces may reduce chewing activity, leading to atrophy of facial muscles. Appropriately chewing gum or firm but not hard foods can strengthen the masseter muscles and help restore fullness to the face.

3. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers involve injecting an appropriate amount of hyaluronic acid into sunken areas of the face to enhance volume and improve the appearance of retainer face. The typical reference price for hyaluronic acid injections ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 yuan per session. Improvement is generally visible within 1–3 days after the procedure, although side effects such as redness, swelling, or bruising may occur.

4. Autologous Fat Grafting

Autologous fat grafting involves extracting healthy fat tissue from another part of the body, processing it, and then implanting it into facial depressions to improve facial contours. The typical reference price is 5,000 to 20,000 yuan per session. Noticeable improvement usually appears within 2–3 weeks, though potential adverse reactions include bleeding or infection.

5. Facial Thread Lift Surgery

Facial thread lift surgery involves inserting absorbable protein threads into the dermal layer to lift sagging facial tissues, thereby improving facial hollowing and drooping. The typical reference price is 5,000 to 15,000 yuan per session. Results are generally visible within 1–2 weeks, though temporary side effects such as swelling and pain may occur.

In daily life, it is recommended to choose foods appropriately based on orthodontic conditions to maintain adequate exercise of the chewing muscles and alleviate symptoms of retainer face.