How Can I Straighten My Crooked Chin And Face?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I was born with a face that to me looks a little crooked.  It seems my jaw line is shorter on one side and it looks like my face is bent in one direction. Would you be able to look at the pictures I am enclosing and please tell me what you think.  My face is definitely not even and my chin is crooked. I think it is too big, but is it also receded?  I am so self conscious that I hide behind my hair and makeup.  Thank you so very much for your time and please, any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

A:  I have taken a look at your pictures and your concerns. I think there is no question that you have facial asymmetry that is almost completely due to the shape of the lower jaw. The differences in the jaw length has resulted in frontal chin asymmetry with the midportion of the chin being deviated to your right side. This can be corrected (straightened) through a chin osteotomy, sliding it over to the left until its midportion is in alignment with that of your nose and upper and lower lips. This may also require some vertical chin adjustment with a reduction of the left side or an opening lengthening on the right side, depending upon which aesthetically looks better. Your side view shows a mild amount of recession which, given that an osteotomy would be done, I would take the opportunity to give more horizontal projection to the chin as well. I have attached some predictive imaging of the potential outcome with this sliding chin osteotomy procedure.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana