Is my face proportional? Is my jaw too far back? (Photos)

Question

Hello all! I have come under the impression my jaw might be underdeveloped ? If that is the correct word. My top lip hangs over the bottom, I have a very soft jawline and I feel like just too small of a lower face. What would help with this ? The dentist has told me my bite is aligned and that I don’t have a large overbite.

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

"Underdeveloped" is a fair way to put it — the technical term is hypoplastic, and based on your photos, it's possible both jaws are affected, not just one.
What the photos suggest
Your chin sits short and above the level of your jaw angles, which is typically a sign that the upper jaw shares a similar orientation — where the front sits higher than the back. This points to a flatter-than-normal occlusal plane. While the ideal range is roughly 7–12 degrees of angulation, yours appears to be closer to 0–5 degrees. The shape and position of both your upper and lower lip support this as well.
An aligned bite doesn't necessarily mean the jaws are positioned where they should be — it just means the teeth meet each other correctly. The underlying jaw position is a separate question, and a clinical exam plus imaging (x-ray or CT) would fill in the gaps that photos can't.
What are you trying to fix?
The right path forward depends on your goals — chin projection, overall facial balance, jawline definition, or all of the above. Here's how to think through the options:
Genioplasty is a strong option if your jaw orientation is acceptable and your main concern is chin projection and jawline definition. One important note: given that your chin is already short with a deep labiomental fold, a chin implant is not the right tool here — it would worsen the fold. A genioplasty moves the bone itself and avoids that problem.
Jawline implants can be added if you're after more definition beyond what the chin alone can provide.
Jaw surgery becomes the better conversation if any of the following apply: you lack upper tooth show when you smile, the flatness of your jaw angulation bothers you, there's an asymmetry present, or you have functional issues with sleep, breathing, or chewing. Jaw surgery is a powerful and versatile option — and often the best one when the problem lives in both jaws. Recovery is more involved than genioplasty alone, but given how many myths surround it, make sure you work through the realities of recovery carefully with any provider you see.
The most important step
Before deciding anything, work through simulations with your provider. Numbers and terminology only go so far — simulations let you see the potential outcome rather than just describe it, and help make sure you and your surgeon are genuinely aligned on the goal before any decisions are made.

Kamol Pansritum, MD · Answer

To improve facial harmony, I would recommend chin advancement (genioplasty) to bring the chin forward and enhance lower-face projection. In some cases, this can be combined with lateral mandibular border (side-jaw) contouring to refine the overall width and shape of the jawline.

Is my face proportional? Is my jaw too far back? (Photos)

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