Would Paranasal Implants Help My Midface Projection?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Curious about paranasal or paramaxillary implants. I have poor midface projection and my upper lip doesn’t project as much as I want it to. Would love to discuss this and a chin implant.

A: Thank you for the inquiry and sending your pictures. Based on your pictures you are referring to a paranasal-maxillary augmentation. I don’t think you are referring to a premaxillary augmentation as, besides not being able to project your upper lip any further  (the upper teeth are primarily responsible for lip projection), it will also open up your nasolabial angle and push out the base of your nose across the anterior nasal spine, which with a long upper lip I wouldn’t think you would want that type of midface change.

As for your chin I would predict that you need increased anterior projection but with a decreased vertical height and no increase in width. That type of chin change may be better suited for a sliding genioplasty.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana