Chin Wing Osteotomy

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have inquired previously about custom implants however I have my concerns about custom jaw implants such as bone erosion and the fact they negatively impact with age so I am looking toward the chin wing osteotomy surgery option. I would like to know if you can perform a side wing (not increase the vertical size of the frontal part of the chin) but simply increase lateral jaw width and length.

I am interested in having this procedure and then repeating it for further adding width and length to my aesthetic goals. Can you do this procedure and how much does chin wing cost? 

A: Besides the fact that your concerns about jawline implants are unfounded, a chin wing osteotomy can add no width anywhere along the jawline and does not make any change back at the jaw angles. It can only provide vertical lengthening to the chin and the middle part of the lower jaw as well as increased horizontal projection of the chin. It is not a jaw widening procedure no matter how the diagrams make it look like it can. A chin wing is really an extended sliding genioplasty with long back wings to the chin segment.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana