What Can Be Done For A Long Pointy Chin?

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I wanted to send you a couple pictures to see what you might suggest. I have a very narrow jaw and a pointy, long chin. I would like to have it reduced in length, though I’m not sure what else would be necessary for my jaw to look proportionate. Thank you for your time.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. There is no question that a vertical chin reduction osteotomy would be very helpful for your chin. The unique part about your vertical chin reduction, because of your very steep mandibular plane angle, is that the back part of the osteotomy behind the bony cut must be reduced (leveled) as well. Otherwise the chin will be vertically reduced but you will end up with a ‘box’ look to the chin as there would not be a smooth transition along the jawline between the end of the osteotomy and the rest of the jawline as it heads back to the angles. I have done some predictive imaging to show what the potential changes could look like. Based on these predictions I see no need to alter your jaw angle area even though they are high. They could be lowered with implants but I am afraid this will make your entire lower face ‘too heavy’ even though it may be better from a jawline perspective. For now I have not imaged such changes but can if you desire.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana