Can My Midface Be Shortened?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Please see attached my current pictures. The pictures in the brown sweater are current, the pictures in the light grey sweater are before braces, the pictures in the dark grey sweater are 4 months after braces. It has now been 8 months with braces within a total term of 24 months. The orthodontist has been correct a deep overbite.I have noticed that my face has become gaunt and long after braces (my weight is the same as before treatment), my chin is longer and my jawline is not feminine anymore. 

I am interested in any procedure which will shorten my mid face (below eyes to upper lip) ,reduce the length of my chin and feminize my jawline. I am specifically interested in the lefort I procedure for mid face reduction. Please let me know if I qualify for this procedure specifically and how much of a difference I can see with it.

A: There is no effective procedure(s) for shortening the midface. A LeFort I impaction is an effective procedure when a gummy smile exists with excessive teeth/gum show. But when a normal lip to tooth relationship exists all a LeFort I impaction will do is bury the upper teeth under the. upper lip and the overlying midface soft tissues will remain in the same amount and length.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon