What Needs To Be Done For My Facial Asymmetry Correction?

Q: Dr. Eppley, the right side of my face looks bigger and more elevated than the other side, and the position of my right eye socket is higher than that of my left one. My jaw is also asymmetrical. When I bite, I can feel that the left side of my upper jaw and lower jaw is higher than the right side. I can also feel that the bone between my right eye socket and.my upper jaw is bigger than that on the left side when I touch. Is it possible to make my right side identical to the other side? If so, could you advise me on what procedures I should take and their costs? Thank you.

A: For your facial asymmetry correction, there are some structures that can and can not be changed.  It is not possible to lower a higher eye socket. (orbital box) A lower eye can be raised somewhat but a higher eye can be lowered. Your maxillomandibular cant (jaw asymmetry) can be corrected by a LeFort I osteotomy to shorten the longer side. (vertical maxillary reduction) To keep your current occlusion (bite) a sagittal split ramus osteotomy is needed to rotate the lower jaw back into occlusion as well as complete the vertical shortening of the right lower face.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana