How Can I Improve My Steep And Feminine Jaw Angles?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have long been looking to improve my jawline and it seems, based upon my research, that you and your staff are a great fit for what I want to do! I have yet to find another doctor who has a lot of experience with jawline improvements. I am a 30-year-old male with a somewhat feminine/steep jawline. I am looking to improve it from both the front and the profile with a more masculine look. I have read your articles and am looking to get a consultation to get the ball rolling and want to inquire as to what my next step is. I have attached pictures of myself as well as pictures of the jawline I am looking for. As you can see from my profile, my jaw angles are steep and feminine. I am looking to get my jaw angles as square as possible, like the pictures I have attached after my own. Furthermore, my front view could use a bit of width on the mandible to provide a more masculine look; I guess a widening starting from the back of the jaw. In addition, my left-side jaw angle is better than on my right side, so I am sure that would slightly alter what you do with each side. You will be able to clearly see what I am looking for after viewing the pictures that come after my own. I will leave it up to you to determine if this look is possible for me.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. My comments are as follows:

1) I believe you would get good improvement with off-the-shelf jaw angle implants that add about 10mms of vertical length and 7mms of width.

Jaw angle asymmetry is common and it is virtually impossible using standard jaw angle implants to ever get perfect symmetry. There are too many variables involved and modifying one side over the the during surgery is just guessing about what to do and rarely creates much better symmetry. Custom-designed implants are the best option when significant asymmetry exists. But that adds considerable expense to the operation which your degree of asymmetry does not justify in my opinion.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana