What Jaw Angle Implants Do I Need For A Defined Look?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in jaw angle implants. I’v attached some photos of my face. As you can see my jawline narrows inward as it comes down from my cheekbones. With that being said, I do not want the big, thick, extra wide looking jawline. I would like slight width and definition. I would ideally want more of a masculine, defined, bony look with hollowness between the corner of my lips to my cheekbones, kind of like a male model. I don’t want a big change, I would rather have a more inconspicuous outcome. I do understand; however, that there will be a difference in my look. From what I have seen online, the normal outcome is a thicker/ widened look. I don’t necessarily want that. I have attached images of Tom Cruise and a photo of Johnny Depp to show you examples of my desired outcome.

A: Jaw angle implants can produce a variety of jawline changes based on the style and size of the implant but the facial shape and tissue composition also has a major influence on the outcome. While many men do not have the facial shape to come close to those jawline goals, you actually do because you do not have a lot of subcutaneous fat. You have to have a pretty thin face to pull that off.  So while I think you can achieve it, it is not going to be able to be done with any of the standard shaped jaw angle implants. You need a special shaped jaw angle implant that just sits on the back half of the jaw angle and has a significant lateral flare to it that is concave as it flares out. This way it gives no thickness to the jawline and only adds the angle accent. That could be done by either a semi-custom or custom implant approach. A semi-custom approach is where standard jaw angle implants are hard carved before surgery to create the desired shape. A custom approach is where the jaw angle implants are computer-designed off of the patient’s 3D CT scan.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana