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How much can the lower jaw and chin be shaved to make the face look shorter?

How much can the lower jaw and chin be shaved to make the face look shorter? I have a long lower jaw and chin but my midface is normal so hence why my face looks longer than desired. I want 1.5 cm of length shaved is this possible? I can't find the answer to this question anywhere.

Doctor Answers 2

February 10th, 2014

Chin and Jawline Vertical Bone Reduction

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It would be highly unusual that anyone would need as much as 1.5 cms of vertical bone reduction of the chin or jawline. Most patients way overestimate how much bony change they actually need and where along the jawline they need it done. But for the sake of discussion, the limiting factor of jawline bone reduction is the location of the tooth roots and the course of the inferior alveolar nerve. Leaving a cuff of a few millimeters of bone, that would mean the maxiumum bone removal is closer to 1 cm except back at the jaw angles. Shaving that much bone would not be prudent in the chin area and a wedge reduction genioplasty would be a more prudent approach for prevention of a potential soft tissue sag.

Learn more: http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD


Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
4.6 out of 5 stars 70 reviews

February 8th, 2014

Chin Shave

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You can decrease you chin height.  Shaving the bone is a relatively inaccurate method and is not reversible.  Performing a shortening genioplasty is more controlled and predictable.

Joe Niamtu, III DMD
Cosmetic Facial Surgery
Richmond, Virginia

Joseph Niamtu, III, DMD
Richmond Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

*Treatment results may vary

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.