Cheek and Jaw Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have interested in some combination of cheek and jaw implants. Although I’m not yet 100% certain which procedures I’d like to have done, I have a few brief questions regarding these surgeries.

1) For jaw implants, do you think it is necessary to have custom implants created if a male patient wants to get the sharp “flare-out” at the jaw angles? Or is there an off-the-shelf implant that can create this “look?”

2) In regards to cheek implants, do you think it is necessary to use the custom-designed male cheek implants that you have written about on your website for someone who wants the sharp “male model” look, or can standard silicone cheek implants be altered to satisfy patients with this desire? 

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to talking further with you soon.

A: In answer to your cheek and jaw implants questions:

1) I am not certain what the exact visual image of the ‘flared out’ jaw angle look to which you refer. It may or may not be able to be done with standard jaw angle implants but that would depend on what that look is and whether your facial anatomy will even allow that to occur. Many young male patients have an unrealistic or unachievable jawline reshaping goal.

2) Without question no standard cheek implant can create the so called ‘male model’ look because they all lack the necessary posterior zygomatic arch extension to create it. Either true custom or special design cheek implant designs are needed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana