Can I Get Jaw Implants If I Have Had Radiation As A Child?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in consulting about getting chin and jaw implants. When I was six I had cancer and extensive radiation delivered to my facial region resulting in a stunt of growth in my mandible.

Q:Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. With the history of radiation in the area we have to be very cautious about treatment selection as that affects the involved tissues lifelong and their ability to respond to trauma and exhibit normal healing from it may be compromised. (at the least it has a higher risk of infection) I will need to see a 3D CT scan of your lower face (jaw areas) to have a better appreciation of the bony anatomy. With the history of radiation a custom wrap around jawline implant is out as the infection risk is too high. Thus, for now, I am thinking a bony genioplasty (you need mainly vertical lengthening anyway and jaw angle implants. The bony genioplasty will be fine, it is the jaw angle implants in the back we have to assess very carefully.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana