Can A Custom Jawline Implant Increase The Width Of The Jaw Angle?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have read about your custom jawline implants (wrap-around style) on exploreplasticsurgery.com and was wondering if these implants can increase the width of the jaw angle as well as the vertical height or is it just the vertical height that these can change? I’m also trying to establish the drawbacks (apart from cost) of these wrap around implants over the separate jaw/chin implants.

A:  Custom jawline implants can be made to any dimension that is aesthetically desired in either height, width or shape. The actual cost difference between a custom implant and standard implants is much less than one would think, with only about a 20% cost difference at best. While the cost of the custom implant is higher, it takes only 1/2 of the operative time to do…thus explaining why the cost difference is not that extreme. Having done hundreds of combination chin and jaw angle implants, I now find that single custom jawline implant produces a better aesthetic result with a very low risk of malposition/asymmetry compared to using three separate pieces. (1 chin and 2 jaw angles) In fact, it is virtually impossible to have a malposition of a custom implant because of the precision fit and design.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana