How Can I Achieve A Jaw Augmentation Like When I Bite Down?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a quick question for you, can you suggest a surgery to define my jawline (picture 1) so it looks like picture 2?

I noticed that when I tighten the skin around my jaw, like picture 2, I get the desired effect on my side. I have already a strong jawline by nature ( picture 3) but its not showing on the sides for some reason. Could you help with this in your practice?

A: What you are doing by biting down is flexing your masseter muscle creating a jaw angle enhancement of increased width. This is a pure lateral ramus augmentation which should be achievable by placement of an implant underneath the main section of this muscular region. How much implant width is needed to create that effect is speculative but I would estimate between 10 to 12mms per side.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana