Does My Original Sliding Genioplasty Need Vertical Length?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a sliding genioplasty several years that I am interested in revising The initial genioplasty only dealt with horizontal chin projection and now I am unhappy with the shape of my jaw. I believe a revision with some vertical chin projection would help with this.

A:Thank you for your inquiry and sending your picture. It appears that your sliding genioplasty as you have mentioned, was purely horizontal in it’s dimensional change. For a female that amount of horizontal projection looks a little bit strong. As a result of the pure horizontal projection the mandibular playing angle is also disrupted. As you have astutely surmised adding some vertical length, which would also reduce the horizontal projection by a millimeter or two, would provide an improved aesthetic outcome overall as predicted in the attached image. How much vertical lengthening you need is probably in the 5 to 6 mm range although that is up to your preference…. meaning you could have more or less depending upon your aesthetic desires.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon