How Can I Improve The Results From My Jaw Angle Implant Surgery?

Q: I recently came across an article written by you regarding jaw angle implants for male patients. I went through this particular surgery and I am saddened to say I am not exactly happy with the results. It is a tough situation to be in, but now I realize I should have pursued a CT scan and customized implants, though it was not an option for me or the doctor who treated me at the time. What do you recommend for me now?

A: There are multiple reasons why dissatisfaction can occur after jaw angle implant surgery. The two main reasons are implant size and implant style. Like any implants placed anywhere in the body, they can end up being too big or too small. But that is not the impression that I am getting about your dissatisfaction. Implant style, or how the implant actually changes the shape of the jaw angle, is actually the most common problem. One type of jaw angle implant merely makes the existing jaw angle wider, known as lateral angle augmentation. Most men interested in improving their jaw angle definition, however, don’t suffer from an exclusive width problem. They are interested in a wider and more defined angle which means extending the angle lower as well. That is a different jaw angle implant style, known as inferolateral angle augmentation, and is more difficult to surgically place. Getting lateral jaw angle augmentation when you really need or want inferolateral jaw angle augmentation will only make your jaw look puffy and wide and not get that more sharply defined angle that many men are seeking.

The other jaw implant problem is when one really needs vertical lengthening of the entire lower jaw line but they end up getting lateral jaw angle implants. Vertical jaw implants are ideally made on custom basis for each patient off of a 3-D model from a CT scan. But a combination of an inferolateral jaw angle implant combined with a prejowl chin implant may suffice in some cases.  Since you mentioned a CT scan and custom implants, this may be the problem to which you refer.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana