Background: Augmenting the jawline today is more than just a chin or jaw angle implants. To change the entire jawline from angle to angle in a smooth united fashion, custom jawline implants offer aesthetic results not previously obtainable. Made from the patient’s 3D CT scan they provide a precise fit to the bone as well as smooth transitions into the surrounding bone.
Designing a custom jawline implant allows for any type of dimensions/thicknesses/shape provided that the soft tissue will permit it. What those implant dimensions should be for any specific patient depends on their goals. However, how to translate these aesthetic goals into dimensional numbers is not an exact science. The computer design process can only create what it is told, it does not know how to make anyone look exactly like they want. Such custom facial implants designs remain an art form based on the surgeon’s input at the present time.
Some patients prefer a more subtle or modest change to their jawlines. They want to provide some accents to their jawline not necessarily make it ‘big’ or have any extreme change. Creating more visible jaw angles and chin points and a smooth connection between them is their facial goal.
Case Study: This 35 year-old male wanted a jawline enhancement to create an overall more distinct jawline. He didn’t want it too big or too noticeable. Using a 3D CT scan a custom wraparound jawline implant was designed with most changes at the chin (2mm forward and 3mms vertical elongation) and the jaw angles. (4mms vertical elongation and 4mms jaw angle width)
Under general anesthesia and through two intraoral incisions and one submental incision, the custom implant was inserted in a subperiosteal plane as a one-piece unit. It was secured with three small screws at the chin and jaw angles.
He had a full recovery at six weeks after surgery. When seen three years later he had a subtle but distinct change to his jawline as would have been expected given the modest size of the implant’s dimensions. A smooth connection existed between the front and back end of the jaw creating a smooth linear jawline effect.
Highlights:
- A custom jawline implant augments the entire jawline from angle to angle, hence the term ‘wraparound’ to describe it.
- Selecting the dimensions of the implant during its preoperative design is an art form for which there is not exact science.
- The implant’s dimensions can be modest to only create a jawline enhancing effect.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana