Cam My Jawline Be Vertically Lengthened By 2.5cms?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I do have a small lower jaw in general (midpoint of lips to end of chin 3.6cm) and wanted to ask if its possible to vertical lengthen the lower third by approximately 2 to 2.5cm (whether it involved jaw surgery and or/genioplasty/custom implants – or a combined approach) or is a increase that high not doable? 

Thanks

A: I assume when you are referring to lengthening the lower jaw you mean the entire lower jaw from angle to chin. Changes in the range of 2 to 2.5cms are not possible particularly at the chin area as the soft tissues will note permit that type of stretch…and I have yet to see someone who really needs that much lengthening. Patients understandably overestimate the degree of change they need because they can not factor in the effect of what happens at the bone levels to the changes seen in the overlying soft tissues.  Vertical jawline lengthening more in the range of 1 cm is more realistic.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana