How Can My Jaw Angles Be Restored?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I underwent mandible angle and cheekbone reduction surgery over a year ago.  I am disappointed with the changes as it has feminized my previously masculine face. I find that the angle reduction from my jaw is unnaturally high and much too straight to be considered normal.  What options could I consider to replace the previous bony structure?  Another issue that I am faced with is substantial mid to low face sagging.  Several areas seem to be affected such as the infra-orbital muscle (clearly visible, elevated on cheekbone), nasolabial folds, and soft tissue isolation (sides of mouth, fat cheek look).  Could you explain the causes of these irregularities and possible procedures that I could undertake? 

A: I have seen a few cases just like yours where the jaw angles have been completely amputated. The angular shape and the vertical height of the ramus of the mandible can be restored by jaw implant augmentation.  But the implant shape can not be a standard jaw angle implant. it needs to be shaped to just have a vertical augmentation only that has an oblique superior shape to match the oblique cut. That can be done by either using one of the custom jaw angle implant shapes that I have previously used or have one made off of a 3D CT scan.

As for the other facial changes those are obviously a result of the cheekbone reduction. I am going to assume that this procedure was done intramurally with n obliquely oriented osteotomy of the zygomatic body and a posterior osteotomy of the zygomatic arch. That has caused loss of support of the surrounding cheek tissues which not sag creating an orbicular is muscle edge show, deepening of the nasolabial folds and sagging in the submalar area. Like the jaw angle issue, adding back some skeletal support would seem like a logical approach. That effectiveness, however, is not as clear as it would be in the jaw angle area.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana