The shape and strength of the jawline is an essential component of male facial attractiveness. This is evidenced not only in the images that we see today in male models and advertisements but in many of our most popular male celebrities and actors. This is not only a contemporary desireable male feature but has been so for a long time. It is also fair to say that a weak chin or a short and poorly defined jawlone has never been viewed as a favorable male facial feature.
The value of a strong male jawline can be seen all around us through the use of facial hair. The styling of beards and goatees is often a reflection of the desire to create a stronger chin and jawline appearance. Some men grow it as a conscious effort to do so but other men do it because they feel it makes look better…but without really knowing why.
This brings me to a call I received today from a member of the media. The query was about whether someone who underwent jaw reconstruction for a medical reason could come out from surgery with a better jawline appearance. The answer to that depends on what type of jaw reconstruction was done. If it was done for orthognathic or jaw alignment reasons (e.g., bringing forward a short lower jaw and fixing a bad bite), then an improved jaw appearance will result. This occurs as a natural result of the surgery because the chin becomes more prominent afterwards as the jaw comes forward. However, if the jaw reconstruction is done to fix a fracture then the answer would be no as the jaw shape is returned to what it looked like before the injury.
As it turns out, the basis of the question had to do with a political figure…specifically Texas Governor and Presidential candidate Rick Perry. The reporter wanted to know if I thought he had ever undergone any jaw enhancement surgery. It was detailed to me that Governor Perry had at one time been involved in a plane crash and had suffered a broken jaw. He was treated by wiring his jaws together. (closed reduction of a mandible fracture) The reporter was comparing photos of how he looks today and what he looked like before this injury. He wanted my opinion on what he thought or suspected was a change in his jaw shape after surgery.
In looking at these same photos, it is apparent that Governor Perry does currently have a very masculine jawline and that is certainly a part of his physical appeal from a facial standpoint. However, photographs of him in the military and even at a younger age show that he has always had a well defined jawline. He has a strong chin and jaw angles and a smooth straightline connection between the two. Having done a lot of chin and jawline cosmetic surgeries, the type of jawline the Governor naturally has is sought after by many male patients. The Governor is blessed to have it naturally, numerous type of jaw implants are available for those men who are not so fortunate.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana