What Is The Recovery For Jaw Angle Reduction Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am Asian and am interested in getting my jaw angles reduced. They make my lower face look too wide. How risky is the surgical reduction? And how long is the down time? Is it possible for me to undergo the procedure during spring break (2-3 weeks)?

A: This is not a procedure that I would consider risky. It is a cosmetic procedure that is about reducing the width and shape of the jaw angle. That being said, it does require the masseter muscle to be lifted off of the bone to do the procedure so there will be some significant swelling afterwards.  The procedure is done by either burring down the width of the jaw angle (outer table reduction) or actually removing the jaw angle by an osteotomy. It takes about 3 weeks for most of the swelling to go down after this kind of facial bone surgery and about another month or so to see the lower facial width reduction benefits of having the operation. I tell patients that it takes 3 months to see the final results after jaw angle reduction surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana