Should I Pick A Jaw implant Size To Compensate for Bony Imprinting?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m considering jaw implants but have concerns about potential bone imprinting.

On your website, you mention:

“the average implant settling into the bone… was in the range of 1.5 mm…this is actually not just seen on the chin but can be seen in other facial implant sites as well (eg. jaw, cheek),”

but also state:

“I am not aware that there is any bony erosion with jaw implants. I have removed many from surgeons over the years and have never seen that issue.”

Could you clarify if bone imprinting occurs with jaw implants, and if so, by approximately how many millimeters? Should this be considered in the design—for example, if I need 5 mm of width, would it be better to choose 6 mm to account for potential bone imprinting?

Thank you.

A: Every facial implant gets some degree of bony imprinting, manifest more prominently at the chin and jaw angles. I don’t consider it to have any clinical relevance and you don’t create implant dimensions or pick implant sie based on its potential occurrence.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon