A well-shaped jaw can change the rest of your face in a variety of ways. For men, a strong jaw gives a masculine and chiseled look that is attractive for a lifetime. In women, a well-shaped jaw can help to balance other features and to provide a beautiful frame for the face. However, not all people are born with an attractive jawline. For these people, implants or other jaw augmentation surgery may be the solution to meeting their appearance goals.
What Is Jaw Augmentation?
Also known as mandibular augmentation or gonial augmentation, this surgery adds to the size of your jaw or reshapes it, usually by adding silicone implants. Dr. Joseph Russell will talk to you about your appearance goals and help you to select the implants that will compliment you best. He can also talk to you about how this surgery can affect the rest of your face. Although this procedure can be performed on its own with beautiful results, some people elect to have other facial plastic surgeries at the same time for a full-face transformation.
Our jaw is important not just for facial harmony and attractiveness, but for eating, speaking, and facial expressions. Mandibular augmentation does not affect these functions at all. The implants subtly and seamlessly add to your jaw without changing the way that it functions. Many people in your life will not be able to pinpoint exactly what has changed about your appearance.
How Is a Jaw Augmentation Performed?
A jaw implant is performed under either general anesthesia or sedation (twilight anesthesia). Once you are asleep or sedated, Dr. Russell will make a small incision inside the mouth and elevate the tissues next to the jaw bone to make a small pocket. The jaw implant is then inserted in this small pocket, next to the bone. The oral incisions are closed with absorbable sutures that will dissolve on their own.
After the surgery, many people go directly home. Your jaw will be bandaged tightly or wrapped in a sling to support the implants while you heal. Most people feel some pain or discomfort in the first several days. In addition, there may be some numbness and tightness until your skin stretches to accommodate your new jaw shape and size. In general, patients who have this surgery are back to their regular activities in a few weeks, with no residual pain or symptoms.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Jaw Implant Surgery?
Most people who want a stronger or differently shaped jaw are good candidates for this surgery. This is especially true for people who have used Restylane or other fillers to augment their jaw in the past with good results. While fillers wear off, implants are a permanent addition to your face.
In general, patients should have good health in their jaw and lower teeth before undergoing this procedure. In addition, it is important to stop smoking or using tobacco products at least two weeks before the procedure, as nicotine can compromise healing. You should talk to your surgeon about your medical history, including current conditions that you have and medications that you are taking right now.
Jaw Surgery Consultation
If you are interested in finding out whether this or other procedures is right for you, it is time to have a consultation with a qualified facial plastic surgeon. If you are in the Charleston area, Dr. Russell is available to help you make an informed decision. Dr. Joseph Russell is a Charleston-area native who graduated first in his medical school class at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. After a five-year residency, he completed a fellowship in New York City under one of the world’s most renowned facial plastic surgeons. He is now offering state of the art medical care to residents of the Charleston area and Southeast.
If you are interested in a jaw reshaping procedure, call the medical office of Dr. Joseph Russell today at (843) 576-3302 to schedule a consultation. This simple procedure could help you obtain the appearance and the confidence that you seek.