What Type Of Chin Procedure Do I Need To Make It Look Like When I Thrust My Jaw Forward?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have an overbite. I hate the way it looks. To compensate, I’ve been walking around with my jaw unhinged and chin thrust forward all day for years. The deception is effective, but it’s started to cause me TMJ pain. I’ve included both front and profile photos of what I look like when I’m thrusting my jaw as usual, and what I look like at rest. Is there a solution for this?

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. The very jaw maneuver you are demonstrating is a 45 degree change of the chin projection. (mainly vertical but with a little horizontal) This jaw thrusting maneuver can be replicated by an opening wedge bony chin genioplasty. While this will leave your overbite as is at least you will not have to do the artificial jaw maneuver to achieve the desired aesthetic effect.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana