Can A Rib Graft Be Used For Midface Augmentation?

Q: Dr. Eppley,for the submental chin reduction why do you prefer to do the incision under the chin vs inside the mouth?

I’ve read other surgeons have used rib bone for the maxillary augmentation curious on why do you prefer to use eptfe implant material?

Thank you for your help and time.

A: In answer to your questions:

1) Chin reductions done intraorally have a very high risk of soft tissue sagging and can not manage the soft tissue excess that results from reducing the bony support of it. From a submental approach both bone and soft tissue excesses can be removed producing a better result. The tradeoff, of course, is the fine line scar under the chin.

2) Rib grafts can be used for midface augmentation and I have done so numerous times. Usually, however, patients don’t want the scar and recovery from doing the rib graft so the vast majority of patients choose an implant. But the decision between rib graft vs implant midface augmentation is a personal one and that is up to the patient.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana