Should My Orthognathic Surgeon Know That I Will Be Getting Custom Facial Implants After This Jaw Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have two questions for you:

1. I will be getting jaw surgery in order to advance both my maxilla and mandible. Would it be a good idea to let my surgeon know that I plan to see you afterwards for both custom jaw as well as midface (orbital and zygos) implants? Or would it not matter? I planned on telling him to give me the best aesthetic result he can from jaw surgery before I came to you with implants. 

2. How much forward growth can be obtained from custom midface implants (orbitals and zygomas)?

A: It is irrelevant what you are going to do with your face after orthognathic surgery, custom facial implants not withstanding. That has no influence on how the orthognathic surgery is planned or done,

The amount of forward midface augmentation (not growth) that can be done with custom facial implants is in excess of whatever anyone’s aesthetic needs are.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana