Custom Jawline Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in a custom jawline implant. But before making this expensive decision I just want to make sure a sliding genioplasty is not something I should consider and living with a custom chin implant for life is 100% the best for me. I really think vertical length is one of the key factors with my chin being weak. I would appreciate your thoughts before I make this choice. Thanks so much. 

A: In looking at your goals by your own imaging, you need chin and jaw angle changes. When it comes to vertical chin lengthening that can be done by either a sliding genioplasty or a custom implant. If you were just doing the chin alone and did not care about the rest of your jawline then the debate of a sliding genioplasty vs. implant has merit. But when you factor in the rest of the jawline for aesthetic improvement, where jaw angle implants would be needed and the only way to get that improvement, then a custom jawline implant makes the most sense. While a sliding genioplasty can be done with jaw angle implants, those areas will remain unconnected and not have a smooth line between them. A custom jawline implant creates all the chin and jaw angle changes one needs and connects them in a smooth wraparound fashion. In my experience this produces a far better result for almost all male jawline enhancements with lower risks of nerve injury/numbness. An even though the implant is more expensive to manufacture up front, it is done in less surgery time (so the costs differences are closed to a wash) with lower risks of revisional surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana