Vertical Lengthening Genioplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m a 36 year old female with a pretty flat jawline and chin. My chin is a little short face on, and from the side it’s probably in the acceptable range (and not weak). I am interested in making the lower third of my face less “flat” looking. I’ve had fillers before in my chin to elongate my facial look and I really liked it – but of course, those dissolve. My back teeth don’t occlude (the only teeth of mine that touch are the front teeth). I would love to send some pics and hear what Dr. Eppley thinks can be done about this. I am particularly interested in doing less invasive procedures (i.e., a chin implant v. a genioplasty). I look forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards,

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. You have a vertically short chin and near flat mandibular plane angle. Placing fillers in your chin looked better because it provided increased lower facial height. The correct surgery procedure to create this same effect is a vertical lengthening genioplasty. This is where the chin bone is cut and dropped down. Adding about 8mms of vertical chin height will create the right amount of vertical lower facial elongation.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana