While jaw angle implants have been around for over 25 years, they only recently have become more popular and in higher demand for jawline enhancement. Offering augmentation to the often overlooked back part of the jaw, they add dimensions to the lower third of the face that can be primarily seen in front and oblique facial views. This is in contrast to chin implants which create their most profound effect in the side or profile view.
Based on how they impact the face it can be appreciated that the combination of chin and jaw angle implants creates a true 3D total jawline effect through a three-point triangulation effect.
Like many other facial implants, jaw angle implants also come in different styles. Fundamentally there are two different jaw angle implant types, widening (lateral) and vertical lengthening. This distinction is critical as they create profoundly different effects on the jawline.
The original and still commonly used jaw angle implant is the widening version. The implant sits on the outer aspect of the posterior-inferior ramus and gives the jaw angle more width. This is suitable in the patient who already has adequate length to their angles, has a normal mandibular plane angle and just needs augmentation to their natural bony width.
While appropriate for many patients, widening the jaw angle does not work well for everyone. An overlooked aesthetic jawline diagnosis is the patient who has high angles. They may also be too narrow but the jaw angle is almost at the level of the earlobe. This is too high of a mandibular plane angle and requires vertical lengthening. Placing widening angle implants in the high mandibular plane will just make the face look wider/fatter and will not create a more defined jaw angle appearance.
A newer style of vertical lengthening jaw angle implants has been developed for the high angled jawline. In this implant style a portion of the implant sits below the existing angle bone. By dropping down the angle it not only gives it more visible length but also adds width as well. These two dimensional changes put together into an angular shape creates a much more visible jaw angle and fullness to the back part of the jawline.
Most patients who have a short chin usually have a higher jaw angle position. This is a natural part of the L-shape to the lower jaw and the way it develops from its growth center. A chin implant with vertically lengthening jaw angle implants is the best combination for total jawline augmentation in these patients.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana