Jaw Angle Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a buccal lipectomy three months and now my face is slim and less square. I would like to have jaw angle implants to have a wider and more square face again. I have attached some before and after pictures so you can see how my face has changed.

A: Thank for sending your pictures. A buccal lipectomy (bichetomy) should have no effect on slimming the face anywhere but under the cheek area. It does not extend anywhere close to the jaw angle region whose shape is determined by the jaw angle bone and the overlying masseter muscle. In fact the biggest aesthetic problem with buccal fat removal is that it usually has only a very modest effect, and one that is usually underwhelming to the patient, rather than too much of an effect 

But that anatomic issue aside, all that matters is your perception and how you see your face now. I can certainly see the change in your facial shape in your pictures even though I don’t have a good explanation.

Jaw angle implants can be used to make the back part of the jaw wider and hopefully more square. The only question is what size (thickness) of implant to use. Sizes typically run in the 5 to 10mm range.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana