Chin Wing Osteotomy

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I was wondering if you did the ‘chin wing osteotomy’ surgery which is different from a genioplasty where they move the jaw forward ? I saw your response to someone else asking the same question on Real Self and you said you’ve done it before and I was interested. Not a genioplasty or a chin implant which I can get done where I live.  I’m not sure if there’s other names for it but that’s what it’s called on other surgeons websites who do it. I’m assuming it’s called a chin wing osteotomy.

A: I am very familiar with the chin wing osteotomy, having performed it numerous times. Quite frankly I think it is not a very good procedure for the problem that it is designed to treat. It is technically difficult to perform and is prone to a high rate of complications. Iy requires a long bony cut back from the chin to the jaw angles underneath the mental nerve foramen and the path of the inferior alveolar bone as it courses through the bone.

It is really an historic procedure for which there are more effective procedures today. It is far easier, has less complications and a better result is obtained using a custom made jawline implant when attempting to obtained total vertical jawline augmentation.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana