Jawline Implant
A defined jawline frames the face and anchors profile harmony. When bone support is limited—at the mandibular angle or along the jaw body—soft tissue can blur the lower face even in fit patients. Jawline implants restore structure where it’s missing, sharpening the gonial angle, adding discreet width or projection, and clarifying the transition from cheek to jaw to neck—while keeping you recognisably you.
What jawline implants can (and can’t) do
Can help with:
- Weak mandibular angles (lack of “corner” at the back of the jaw)
- Insufficient lower-face width or definition on front view
- Asymmetry of angle/ramus or contour irregularities after trauma or surgery
- Completing profile balance when a chin already reads well but the angles don’t
Cannot do:
- Tighten skin laxity or lift jowls (that’s a facelift/neck lift question)
- Replace weight management for generalised fullness
- Change your bite/occlusion (implants sit on bone, not teeth)
Who is a good candidate?
- Stable health and weight; non-smoker or willing to stop pre/post-op
- Bone-driven lack of angle/width (not primarily skin laxity or fat)
- Realistic goals: definition, not exaggerated bulk
- Understands that perfectly sharp “filter-style” angles on social media are lighting—surgery restores structure, not a permanent filter
Options we can consider
Angle implants (posterior jaw)
Add definition and subtle width at the gonial angle; ideal when the back of the jaw lacks shape.
Body/angle “extended” implants
Run forward along the jaw body to smooth the jawline and reduce step-offs; good for diffuse blunting.
Custom wraparound implants (selected cases)
CAD/CAM patient-specific implants for complex asymmetry or when precise length/width/flare is required. Best when we need millimetre-level control across the whole hemimandible.
Materials (chosen for your goals):
- Medical-grade silicone — smooth, time-tested, removable/revisable; usually screw-fixed for stability.
- Porous polyethylene (e.g., Medpor®) — tissue ingrowth, rigid fixation; removal can be more complex.
- PEEK/custom — highly precise for patient-specific designs.
We’ll choose the least invasive option that delivers the definition you want.
Technique (how I perform it)
- Anaesthesia & setting: sedation or general, in an operating theatre.
- Approach: most often intraoral (inside the mouth) to avoid external scars; in selected cases a small submental/submandibular crease incision offers direct access and lower contamination risk—chosen case-by-case.
- Pocket & placement: subperiosteal pocket on bone; implant positioned with symmetry checks.
- Fixation: low-profile titanium screws to prevent movement.
- Closure: dissolvable sutures; sterile dressing if an external incision is used.
Time in theatre: ~120 minutes, depending on extent and whether we combine with chin or submental work.
Recovery & aftercare
- Day 0–3: head elevation, cold compresses; soft/lukewarm diet; antiseptic mouth rinses.
- Sensation: temporary tightness or numbness along the lower lip/cheek is common and typically settles.
- Work/social: many patients resume light activities in 7–14 days (individual variation).
- Sport: gentle walking from day 1; avoid strenuous/contact sports ~3–6 weeks as advised.
- Settling: shape refines over 6–12 weeks as swelling subsides and tissues adapt.
Results & longevity
Implants provide durable, structural definition. Silicone and PEEK are removable/revisable if your goals evolve; porous polyethylene integrates with tissue and is more involved to revise. Conservative sizing prevents an artificial look and respects your ethnic facial code.
Risks (and how I minimise them)
Common, usually mild: swelling, bruising, temporary numbness/tightness, incisional irritation.
Less common: infection, haematoma, implant shift (mitigated by screw fixation), asymmetry/under-overcorrection, pressure-related bone remodelling, salivary duct irritation, prolonged altered sensation (mental/inferior alveolar nerve).
Risk reduction: sterile theatre, atraumatic pockets, nerve-safe dissection, appropriate antibiotics, and structured follow-up.
Combination planning (when it adds value)
(osseous genioplasty or implant) for complete lower-face balance
to refine the cervico-mental angle if fullness sits under the chin
for deep lower-cheek fullness (selected faces only)
if laxity—not bone—is the main concern
(botulinum toxin) when width is muscle-driven
FAQs
Will jaw implants change my bite?
No. They sit on the outside of the mandible; your occlusion is unchanged.
Is there a visible scar?
Often no, with intraoral access. In some cases, a small crease incision under the jaw is chosen for safer access; it is discreet.
Implant or fillers for the jawline?
Fillers can preview shape but require maintenance and can broaden softly. For crisp, structural angles or larger change, implants are more reliable.
Custom or standard implants—how to decide?
Standard implants suit many goals. Custom CAD/CAM is best for asymmetry, long spans, or when we need precise width/flare tailored to your bone.
Can the implant be removed later?
Yes for silicone/PEEK; possible but more involved for porous polyethylene due to tissue ingrowth.
