Jaw Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in the jaw reduction surgery.This surgery is not very much performed in the USA as you probably know. I feel like I have a wide face. My main concern is my jaw angle and my jaw and chin area giving it a broad, masculine look. One doctor also recommended that I get cheekbone reduction as well and possibly rhinoplasty. I would look to know your professional opinion please since you have experience and great credentials. Here are a few pictures. Thanks!

A: Thank you for sending pictures. Your interest in jaw reduction surgery stems from the observation that you have a flat or near zero mandibular plane angle. This means that the length of your jaw angles is nearly the same as the vertical length of your chin, thus giving you a square facial shape. To give you a more pleasing mandibular plane angle and less square of a facial shape the ideal approach is a combination of vertical reduction of the jaw angles and a vertical chin lengthening. By shortening the back part of the jaw and lengthening your chin, your mandibular plane angle will become more steep and your facial shape will be more oval. The bone removed from the jaw angles could be used as an interposition graft for the vertical chin lengthening.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana