Is The Jaw Thrust Maneuver Simulate How Much Vertical Chin Lengthening I Want/Need?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am trying to achieve a more masculine/sharper jawline/chin while not overly looking fake and getting rid of the deep crease as much as possible.

A:Thank you for sending your jaw thrust pictures which is a great way to simulate how much vertical chin lengthening a patient wants. This demonstrates that you are in the 14 to 16mm range ((at least) which puts it clearly in the vertical lengthening osteotomy procedure. With that amount of bony lengthening the labiomental fold will get less deep as the soft tissue chin pad beneath it stretches down. It is will not as shallow as is shown with the jaw thrust because the movement of the whole lower jaw and the teeth flattens the fold.

Similarly the jaw thrust artificially augments the entire jawline behind the chin which the vertical chin lengthening will not do. To create that effect a custom jawline implant needs to be down with the chin osteotomy for a total jaw augmentation effect.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon