A jaw implant is a sculpted piece of rigid material thatâs surgically inserted under the skin to augment the contour of the jawline. It can both widen and lengthen the appearance of the jawbone, to create more balanced facial features with stronger jawline definition.
Like jaw surgery (aka orthognathic surgery), this procedure provides permanent results. But it doesnât involve cutting the jaw bone and produces no visible scarring, since incisions are made inside the mouth.Â
Some people with average-sized lower jaws simply want a wider lower face, but âtypically, people interested in jaw implants have an underdevelopment of the lower jaw that leads to a lack of definition and a perceived cosmetic âweakness,ââ says Dr. Gerald Wittenberg, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Vancouver, British Columbia. Though this underdevelopment is most commonly noticed in profile, it can also be apparent from the front, in the width and often the height of the chin and the angle of the jaw.
A lack of jawbone support for the overlying tissues can also create other cosmetic concerns. For example, a poorly defined jawline often makes the neck look shorter or contributes to the appearance of fullness under the chin (aka a double chin), as well as jowls, says Dr. Wittenberg. These issues are often associated with aging, but âtheyâll appear much sooner when thereâs weak bone support.âÂ
This type of plastic surgery is more common among men, and itâs frequently used as a gender-affirming procedure to masculinize the lower jaw. But women are increasingly requesting jaw implant surgery. This trend is partly driven by female celebrities with âsnatchedâ jawlines, such as Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, and Angelina Jolie. âThey have well-defined contours with a width at the angles near the ear, tapering to a more narrow V-shaped contour at the chin,â Dr. Wittenberg notes.Â
This increased attention to the jawbone seems deserved: âJawlines in our society are judged to be a very positive feature and, indeed, frame the face, much like a picture frame that allows one to âfocus inside the frame,ââ says Dr. Wittenberg. âAfter jaw implant surgery, patients often comment that although they have less of a double chin or chubby-cheek look, friends will look at their eyes and notice how bright they lookâeven though nothing changed in that area.â
The jaw has three components:
Chin implant surgery enhances just the front of the jaw, modifying the chinâs shape, size, and projection. It can be the go-to option when small to moderate amounts of permanent chin augmentation are needed. But itâs not suitable for everyone and can lead to less-than-ideal results.Â
A jaw implant augments all three components of the jaw, from the back through the body to the chin.Â
If youâre considering jaw implant surgery, itâs essential to consult a board-certified physicianâtypically a plastic surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeonâwho has experience with both types of implants.
âChin implants are common since theyâre easily placed by many types of surgeons, and the level of expertise is not high,â says Dr. Wittenberg. It can be more difficult to find a skilled surgeon who has experience with other types of facial implant surgery, but in this case, itâs well worth taking the time to seek one out.
Suitable candidates for this cosmetic procedure have:
Pros
Cons
Jaw implants are available in four alloplastic (synthetic) materials, all of which are considered safe.
During your initial consultation, be sure to discuss with your prospective surgeon the type of implant theyâll use and the desired shape and size.
It may take some back and forth to figure out which implant will best deliver your desired results. But, as was the case for RealSelf member hessian, who opted for a custom wraparound implant, it will likely be worth it.
This outpatient procedure takes 1â2 hours. Itâs typically performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia, so youâll need a trustworthy adult to take you home afterward.
Hereâs what to expect during the procedure:
Your results will be apparent immediately, but theyâll improve over the next six months as the tissues âtightenâ and define the jawline more impressively, says Dr. Wittenberg.
Hereâs what to expect during your recovery.
The jaw implant photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Yes, jaw implant surgery results are permanent.
If you decide that you donât like your result, it can be possible to remove the implant. Silastic and silicone implants are easier to remove than other types.
Jaw implant surgery is considered safe when itâs done by an accredited, board-certified surgeon, but it does come with risks and potential side effects.
The biggest risk during healing is infection. Jaw implants arenât rejected, since the materials are safe, but infection during healing will necessitate the implantâs removal. A new implant can be placed once the infection resolves and the tissues recover, after about 6â8 weeks.
Youâll leave your surgeonâs office with strict aftercare instructions to avoid infection. âThe post-surgical care is critical to the success of the procedure long-term,â says Dr. Wittenberg, whose post-op protocol includes:
He also recommends that patients sleep on their back during the first weeks to avoid âshearingâ of the tissues against the implant. âWe all like to lie on our face and side, but this may aggravate the initial healing and strain the incision site,â he says.Â
Other potential side effects include:
Updated February 20, 2024