Will A LeFort I Impaction Make My Midface Shorter?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in Lefort 1 osteotomy surgery. The reason I want to have this surgery is that the maxilla, the middle part of my face, is long and I want to make it look shorter. My face, which is between the eyes and the lips. how much of a change there could be?

A: You are under a common misconception that if you shorten the maxillary bone (LeFort I impaction) your external midface appearance will get shorter…which it will not. The LeFort I impaction is for the treatment of the excessive gummy smile patient to achieve less tooth and gum show. It can not shorten the appearance of the midface as where does all the soft tissue go if the bone is shortened? It doesn’t go anywhere…it will remain  the same.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon