The reason why my front view remains the same after square jaw surgery

 

hello. Dr. Hyun-woo Cho, Chief Director of 3D Plastic Surgery no see.

 

When consulting about square jaw surgery, I get asked a lot, "If I have the surgery, will I definitely get a V-line?"

but Reducing your square jaw does not automatically make your face slimmer from the front.

There are quite a few cases where the side looks smaller, but the front remains the same.

today Why this difference occurs , and What role 'cortical osteotomy' plays in determining the frontal effect I will explain it step by step.

 

 

Why is the frontal view different after square jaw surgery?

📌 Cutting a square jaw does not result in the same facial changes for everyone. .

 

Square jaw surgery is Osteotomy in a long curve from the square jaw below the ear to just before the front jawbone It is a surgery that softens the jawline.

From the side, the angle below the ears is reduced, making the face look smaller, but The frontal effect varies depending on the 'shape' of the jawbone.

 

✔️ Looking at the CT scan, the blind spot appears less pronounced from the front, but
✔️ From the side, there are also cases where the angle below the ear drops down to nearly 90 degrees.

 

👉 In this case, If you only cut the angle, you may not feel a significant change from the front.

 

🔸 Example

• This is the reason why the question arises, “I’m satisfied with the side view, but why does the front view look exactly the same?”

• The frontal effect It is not about how much you cut, but which structure you reduce. That is more important

 

🔸 Advice
👉 Before surgery The process of receiving an explanation based on both frontal and lateral CT scans This is absolutely necessary.

 

CT before simulation (rolled jawbone)

 

 

 

Why is it less effective in cases where the square jawbone is 'curved in'?

📌 If the bone is curled inward, the width may not decrease even if it is cut off. .

 

square jawbone

• Inwardly curled shape and

• Outwardly spreading shape It is divided into.

In the case where it gets caught Even if a significant amount of the square jawbone is removed, there may appear to be almost no change in the frontal width.

That is why people say, “I had square jaw surgery, but my front view looks similar.”

 

CT after simulation (rolled jawbone)

 

 

🔸 Key Points
✔️ The frontal effect is not the 'amount of resection' Bone orientation and structure It depends on

 

🔸 Advice
👉 You Whether it is a dried bone structure or a spread-out structure It is important to check this first.

 

 

Why does an outward-spreading square jaw show a better frontal effect?

📌 This is because the front width itself is reduced. .

 

In cases where the square jawbone is spread outward,
With just square jaw surgery Change in width from the front It is relatively clear.

 

Extended jawbone before simulation

 

Extended jawbone after simulation

 

 

 

🔸 Example

• In the frontal photo, the jawline feels like it has shifted one step inward.

• Cases where the sensation of the face becoming “slimmer from the front as well” is felt relatively quickly

🔸 Advice
Even the same surgery The perceived results can vary significantly depending on the bone shape.

 

 

Then, what role does 'cortical osteotomy' play?

📌 This is a method considered together to enhance the frontal effect.

Cortical osteotomy reduces the outer surface (lateral cortex) of the square jawbone Not only the sides A method to reduce volume from the front as well no see.

 

The square jawbone has a multi-layered structure, Among these Removing only the outer layer is lateral cortical osteotomy. no see.

Even at the same location, the method of smoothing the surface instead of cutting is 'cortical shaving'. It is called [this].

 

✔️ Even if the angle below the ear is not large
✔️ Even if the bone is rolled inward
👉 It is used to complement the frontal effect.

 

Cortical CT

 

 

⚠️ Caution

• Because cortical thickness varies from person to person The extent of resection is determined differently for each individual. It works

• Excessive osteotomy is Risk of side effects Proficiency is important because it can increase it.

 

 

Why is cortical osteotomy important in square jaw surgery?

📌 This is the factor that creates the 'reason it looks like a V-line' from the front.

Looking at actual cases of facial contouring surgery,
Even if the angle below the ear does not change significantly Cases where the lateral cortical volume decreases, making it look like a V-line There are many.

 

✔️ Square jaw angle resection
✔️ Bone separation
✔️ Masseter muscle condition
You must consider these three together The frontal effect can be improved.

 

CT scan before and after cortical osteotomy

 

 

🔸 Advice
👉 If you want a frontal effect The key is 'where to reduce' rather than 'how much to cut'. no see.

 

 

FAQ ❓

Q1. Are there criteria for when square jaw surgery is necessary and when it is possible to use Botox?
A1. If the frontal angle appears severe but is not large on CT, improvement can be expected with Botox as muscle influence is greater than bone influence. However, if bone development is also present, surgical methods will be considered.

 

Q2. How are masseter reduction and cortical osteotomy different?
A2. Masseter reduction is a method to decrease muscle volume, while cortical osteotomy is a method to reduce the outer volume of the bone. For a frontal effect, the bone structure and muscle condition are assessed together.

 

Q3. How long is the recovery period after square jaw surgery?
A3. Major swelling usually takes about two weeks to resolve, and residual swelling gradually subsides over several months.

 

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Conclusion 🧾

✔️ Not everyone who undergoes square jaw surgery will achieve the same frontal effect.
✔️ Depending on the shape of the bone Cases where cortical osteotomy or shaving alone is sufficient There is.
✔️ The important thing is Personalized judgment based on your CT structure It is. ✨

 

Rather than surgery that blindly cuts out a large amount,
A method suitable for the current situation Decide after sufficient consultation with a specialist I recommend that you do so.

 

 

 

 

3D Plastic Surgery

Chief Director Cho Hyun-woo

Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine

Master of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School

Severance Hospital Plastic Surgeon

Visiting Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Severance Hospital

 

Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Regular member

Korean Society of Craniofacial Plastic Surgery Regular member

International Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) member

Regular member of the Korean Society of Surgery on the Hand

Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons Regular member

Secretary General of the Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery Research Society

Current Chief Director of Ipche Plastic Surgery Clinic

Experience specializing in facial contouring 21 year