Jawline Surgery vs. Implants, Fillers, and Botox

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your jawline, your jawline is not well-defined, want to correct pain from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, or fix an uneven jaw that is causing discomfort when chewing, there are different ways to make sure you achieve that.

Some of the most common surgical and non-surgical solutions that can help you achieve the ultimate jawline include;

• Jawline surgery
• Jaw implants
• Fillers
• Botox

Typically, these four methods can help reshape and enhance the way your jawline looks making you more confident.

In this post, you are going to learn their differences, pros, and cons to enable you to make the best decision when choosing the one to go for.

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Jawline surgery

Jawline surgery, which also goes by the name orthognathic surgery, basically reshapes or repositions your jaw to improve its function and that of your teeth.

Correcting these irregularities also helps improve your appearance, and consequently, your self-esteem.

Pros

• Improves the overall function of your jaw
• Improves the alignment and function of your teeth, making biting and chewing easier
• Balances the appearance of the middle and lower face features
• Improves jaw closure issues such as open bite, i.e., when your upper and lower teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed
• Repairs your jaw structure due to facial injuries, birth defects, genetic conditions, or bone disease or conditions
• Corrects problems with swallowing
• Improves speech impediments
• Allows for better sleep
• Relieves temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and other jaw pain

Cons

• Possible complications such as excess bleeding, infection, poor cosmetic results, nerve injury, adverse reaction to anesthesia (e.g., lightheadedness and low blood pressure), and need for further surgery
• Jawline surgery is expensive. According to CostHelper, orthognathic surgery can cost anywhere from $20,000 to well over $40,000 for patients without insurance.
• If for cosmetic purposes, your insurance may exclude the procedure from coverage.
• The recovery period of jaw surgery can take up to three months, during which time you will need to avoid some activities.

Jaw Implants

You may be a suitable candidate for jaw implants if you have a weak jaw to make it appear more angular and defined. And, consequently, balancing out the proportion of your facial features.

Most candidates for this procedure have misaligned teeth, a receding chin, an open bite, an overbite, or other bite problems that impact their overall facial attractiveness.

The materials typically used for jaw implants are silicone or porous polythene. The implants are usually customized to fit your face shape.

A jaw implant surgery can be performed alone or combined with other facial implants such as nose and chin implants to achieve better results aesthetically.

Pros

• Improved facial proportions
• Redefined jawline
• Long-lasting results, which are noticeable immediately after surgery
• Enhanced self-esteem
• Customized treatment

Cons

• Long recovery period
• Possible asymmetry
• Possible complications such as nerve damage, excessive bleeding, a shift in implant position, infection, complications from anesthesia, and allergic reaction to jaw implant
• Typically considered a cosmetic surgery hence not covered by insurance

Dermal fillers

Nonsurgical options for jaw enhancement such as dermal fillers are the best option if you have:

• Mild to moderate facial fat obscuring your jawline
• A somewhat well-defined chin area
• Minimal to moderate loose skin around your jawline

Injecting dermal fillers to the jawline adds volume to the jaw by filling in loose skin and smoothing the contours of your jaw, which enhances the area and gives you a more youthful appearance.

Fillers can either be permanent, semi-permanent, or non-permanent. Temporary dermal fillers, which dissolve in six to 18 months, are the most common.

Pros

• No waiting time for results as results are immediate
• Achieves a youthful look
• Your results can be long-lasting or permanent depending on the choice of dermal filler
• Achieves subtle results hence a more natural look
• Minimal or no downtime required following the procedure

Cons

• You may require regular maintenance treatments depending on the dermal filler used
• Permanent dermal fillers can be difficult to reverse
• Possible risk of asymmetry, infection, lump formation, bleeding from the injection site, scarring due to damage to the skin, and allergic reaction

Botox

Botox is a type of botulinum toxin type A injection that works by blocking nerve signals to muscles, which prevents them from contracting.

The muscle injected then ceases to grow in size and instead begins to atrophy, reducing its prominence. When injected into the masseter muscles, botox helps slim and contour your face into a V-shape in a procedure known as jawline slimming.

The goal of jawline slimming with botox is to reduce a prominent or asymmetrical jawline by weakening the masseter muscles with botox injections.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, treatment will generally require about 30 to 60 units of botox on each side to achieve visible results. Effects will typically last about 3 to 4 months.

Pros

• Slims your overall facial shape
• Helps TMJ symptoms
• Relieves tension in the jawline
• You may resume normal activities immediately

Cons

• Results are not immediate since botox treatment is a gradual process
• Results are temporary, meaning you will require maintenance treatments several times a year
• Potential side effects such as temporary bruising, redness, and facial drooping, muscle weakness, slurred speech, breathing problems, headache, and nausea

Related: Everything you need to know about Botox injection

Which Is the Best Jawline Enhancement Treatment?

The best option for jawline enhancement varies from patient to patient according to their specific needs. For example, you may not be an ideal candidate for jaw surgery if your jaw problems can be resolved using orthodontic devices such as braces, headgear, and aligners.

The procedure is also not recommended for females aged 14 to 16 and males aged 17 to 21 as they are still growing.

Whereas, if you have minimal to moderate loose skin and fat around your jawline and an almost defined jawline, nonsurgical options like dermal fillers and botox are best.

Assessing your jawline to establish your goals, then consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon will determine your best treatment options. During the consultation, your plastic surgeon will also discuss the risks and potential complications of the procedures they recommend.

How to Find a Provider

The decision to have a jaw enhancement procedure involves many choices, with the most crucial being selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Also important when vetting potential surgeons is checking whether a surgeon has proven experience and results, his/her ratings by previous clients, and if they work in an accredited or state-licensed facility.

You can find a plastic surgeon in your area that’s board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or Locally certified boards in your state using our doctor’s directory. ASPS is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).