My chin gets pointy when I smile and I really don't like it. But I feel like it's small when my face is resting

Question

I know I have something wrong with my jaw. One doctor told me mild hemifacial microsomia. I also have klippel- feil syndrome and the muscles in my neck are very tight and large. I can't tell if maybe I just have a retruding maxilla? I'm getting so frustrated I can't figure it out. Any advice appreciated

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your photographs.

As far as I can tell, the projection of your chin appears relatively good. When smiling, the movement of the chin muscle, the mentalis muscle, flattening the chin and pushing the lower edge downwards.

This produces an elongation of the face and sometimes a sharper contour for the chin.

The most effective treatment is to use botulinum toxin to the chin point, to make the chin muscle relax and stay relaxed when you smile. This requires repeat treatment approximately every four months but to produce a very good cosmetic impact.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Your eyebrows are asymmetrical and a browlift could help correct this.  The tip of your nose is rather bulbous, as you have pointed out, and also has a bit of a ski slope to it.  This can be improved with a rhinoplasty.  You may also benefit from a lip lift.  A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners.  This may help correct the asymmetry of the upper lip.  A chin implant can soften the pointed chin and fill it out more.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

It may be that you have muscles that are contracting due to their position on the mandible.  We could possibly adjust these muscles to limit this. Also, it is possible to consider other ways to limit the muscle function.

My chin gets pointy when I smile and I really don't like it. But I feel like it's small when my face is resting

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

My chin gets pointy when I smile and I really don't like it. But I feel like it's small when my face is resting

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.