It will be found difficult to keep the mass from being expelled on account of the movement, there being more or less oozing from the puncture, but if the openings can be controlled for at least twenty-four hours this danger may be overcome to a great extent.
Ethyl chlorid may be sprayed over the part immediately the needle is withdrawn to set the mass and followed with a drop of collodion. The patient is advised to keep the mouth as immovable as possible for the rest of the day.
The reaction is never severe, and is easily controlled by cold applications. If, after one week, there is shown a tendency to sagging of the mass, it should be gently massaged upward with the finger several times during the day for at least two weeks; this will keep it in place, and allow nature to replace it with new connective tissue when desired.
Deformities about the Cheeks
Deficiency of Cheek (Total and Partial).—A total lack of proper contour of the cheek, generally termed flattening, may be due to hereditary causes, but is generally dependent upon a cachexia due to a general disease, or fatty degeneration of the muscular structure of the cheeks, as found in those beyond middle age.
A partial deficiency of the cheek or cheeks is usually hereditary, but may be dependent upon digestive disorders or other causes of malnutrition.
This class of deformity is found more often in women than men. It is usually bilateral.
Unilateral cheek deficiency, whether partial or total, may be congenital, but is often the result of a local paralysis causing hemiatrophy. Traumatisms early in life or during birth and amputation of the inferior maxillary are other causes.
This class of deformity is quite readily corrected by subcutaneous injection; in fact, it is the only known method of merit, superseding the former resort to partial correction by massage or artificial and temporary correction by the wearing of plumpers in the buccal cavity.