Can Jaw Angle Reduction Be Done In Stages?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in jaw angle reduction surgery. My problem is that my jaw line is low which gives me a rectangular/long face look. But honestly I don’t really mind that… I prefer having a softer angle. Mine is really low. If it was higher it would be good. But I’m wondering if you can actually do this surgery in several appointments? Like each time cut/thin off a tiny bit of the bone, so that it’s safer and faster… Honestly I’m scared that the results will be too drastic.

A: On a practical basis, you would really on go through a single jaw angle reduction procedure….and be certain that it is not too radically done. It is possible to do it in stages, and there is nothing wrong with that approach (and might end up that way anyway with a conservative reduction and if you like the improvement and want more), but most patients would only want one surgery. But doing smaller amounts does not result in a faster recovery…as the same dissection is needed to reach the jaw angles. The amount of jaw angle bone removal has nothing to do with the length of the recovery period.

The key to a successful jaw angle reduction in is too simply not over do it. (remove too much bone at too steep of an angle)  It is somewhat easier to do more than to add back jaw angle height that has been removed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana