Does Jaw Motion Affect Bone Imprinting from Chin and Jaw Angle Facial Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I read your comparison on medpor and silicone jaw and chin implants, you say that there is some bone erosion that happens after placing implant. 

My question is will chewing gum (flexing jaw muscles) and moving chin muscles result in more bone erosion than it would be if one never chew any gum, in both silicone and medpor implants (does chewing gum has impact on bone erosion after placing implant)?

 Also you say there is soft tissue ingrowth in medpor implants, did you meant jaw muscles? 

Thank you! 

A: In answer to your questions:

1) Bone imprinting occurs with all facial implants, regardless of its material composition. It is a natural biologic reaction.

2) Such bone imprinting is not affected by motion or overlying muscle pull.

3) Fibrous soft tissue ingrowth occurs on the surface of any textured or porous implant material.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana