Will Jaw Angle Implants Make My Long Face Appear Shorter?

Q: Hi Dr. Eppley. I am considering going to you for facial surgery, but I am unsure about exactly what procedure is necessary. All I know is this: I am a male with a long, narrow face. Can jaw angle implants make my face look more wide and more square-shaped? I am interested in making my face seem less long and vertical.

A: Thank you for your inquiry. Jaw angle implants do make the lower jaw more wide and square-shaped which may, or may not, be beneficial in helping you improve your long and narrow face appearance. That question can be answered by computer imaging. By simulating the results of the surgery on your own images, you can visually get the answer to these questions. If you send me some photos (front and side of your face on a clean background such as a wall or door), I will do the computer imaging so we can see if jaw angle implants are beneficial for you. Once we see the results, we will know if jaw angle implants or other facial implant procedures may be beneficial.

It is true that one way to change the illusion of how a face appears is to change the alternative or perpendicular dimensions. Therefore, vertical facial length may be counterbalanced by increasing facial width or forward facial projection.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana