Can My Jaw Asymmetry Be Corrected?

Q:  Dr. Eppley, I am looking for help in fixing facial deformities and asymmetries. I have been to an Oral surgeon and a Maxillofacial surgeon before but they didn’t seem to care. I have a right sided facial deformity that bothers me alot. I would like to find some help for this problem. The right side of my face is under developed and I can see it and even feel it. My left and best side is more fuller and straighter.  My right side is smaller and recessed and less defined. Can an angled tilt in the jaws on one side be fixed? I have attached some pics for you to see.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. I can see quite clearly the tilt to your jawline and the less full right mandibular angle area. It is not possible to cut the jaw bone and angle it downward without changing your bite on the right side. But it can be more simply and effectively treated by a mandibular angle implant, using specifically a type of jaw angle implant that extends the length of the jaw angle downward as well as making it more full. This would be done through an intraoral approach.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana