Can My Chin Implant Wing Be Cut And Repositioned?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Is it possible to place the wing of a chin implant separately from the front part of the implant by cutting it loose? On one side of the jawline my implant wing crosses the bone and sticks out. My jawline is asymmetric and is higher on one side. On the higher side the wing sticks out. My doctor told me the implant wing can’t be placed upward and inserted on line with the jawline because the shape of the implant doesnt allow it. The wings on the implant don’t have the right angle to match my higher jawline. Placing it on line with the jawline would stress the implant and eventually lead to malposition. Is it possible to cut the wing loose from the implant and place it separately from the rest of the implant on line with the jawline?

A: The simple answer to your question is yes. You are referring to a chin implant revision due to a wing malposition. Although the malposition in your case is a direct result of your own anatomy which is not symmetric. During your revision, the wing can be separated from front or main bofy of the implant. But that alone will not make the wing move into the desired position. The implant pocket must be modified as well to accommodate the desired position of the implant wing.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana