Jaw Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in jaw implants and have some questions:

1. My problem is a narrow jaw and a recessed chin topped off with a assymetric mandible to the right, pulling on one side of mouth, is this presenting a problem since it would require an assymetric implant?
2. Would a wraparound implant provide lateral width like implants under the masseter or only downward and anterior?
3. Is “jaw implants” to be understood as the wraparound jaw implant?
4. Is silicone the best material for this, is titanium possible?
5. How many years would a silicone implant last?
6. Is bone erosion a danger to the final look?
7. How can the final look be predicted? Am i able to choose different implant dimensions?
8. Is it possible to achieve a mandible like that of actor Colton Haynes with this procedure?

A: In order to answer most of your questions I would need to see pictures of your face. But in answer to some of them:

1) Custom jawline implants often are made with corrections to the jaw asymmetries
2) Custom implants are designed to any dimensions that are needed
3) Jaw implants is a general term. A wrap around implant is just one type of jaw implant
4) Silicone is the only material used for custom implants. Titanium is too stiff to use and would be extremely expensive
5) Such solid implants last forever
6) Jaw implants are not known to have any appreciable bone erosion
7) While you can choose the implant dimensions, there is no way to know for sure how that will look on the outside
8) You can make your jawline better or more enhanced but I would never say you can achieve anyone else’s jawline.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana