Orthognathic Surgery vs. Facial Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ve been looking at getting some work done on my lower third for a few months now. After doing some research, I’ve heard I would best benefit from different two things, and I’m not sure which I would benefit more from:

1. Bimaxillary Osteotomies  (Lefort 1+ BSSO) with CCW rotation and sliding genioplasty. This was due to both a recessed mandible as well as maxilla? I can’t tell whether my maxilla is recessed, although from my profile shots, my whole face just looks flat or potato like.

2. Facial Implants. Probably a full custom wraparound. For the chin, an emphasis on increasing width, height, and projection, and a more square shape. 

So I’m at a huge crossroads here. I’m torn on whether I’d be better off with implants vs jaw surgery.

A: The fundamental answer to your question is that you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Orthognathic surgery and facial implants are not comparative procedures, they are done for different reasons with different outcomes. Orthognathic surgery is largely a functional operation whose main goal is to improve your bite. There may be aesthetic benefits to it but they will not remotely compare to what a custom jawline implant will do. Conversely a custom jawline implant is a completely aesthetic operation with no functional benefits. You have to prioritize as of what your primary goal is….then that decision becomes much easier.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana