[E-Donga] Square Jaw Reduction Surgery vs. Post-Auricular Square Jaw Reduction Surgery: Which Facial Contouring Procedure Is Right for Me?

Recently, as interest in improving facial contours has increased, more people are considering which square jaw surgery method is best suited to their face shape.

A square jaw can make the lower face look developed, giving the impression of a wider and stronger face, so various facial contouring procedures are being used to address it.

Among them, the representative methods are square jaw reduction surgery and post-auricular square jaw reduction surgery.

Conventional square jaw reduction surgery is suitable when the square jaw is relatively well developed.

For face shapes where the angle and thickness of the lower jaw stand out clearly,

square jaw reduction surgery, which directly adjusts the jaw structure, can provide a more definite facial contour improvement effect.

It focuses on refining the jaw angle and narrowing the width of the lower face to create more harmonious overall facial proportions.

Because the incision is made inside the mouth and the surgeon has a wider field of view, a longer section of the square jaw bone can be removed, which is an advantage for improving a severe square jaw.

On the other hand, if the square jaw is not developed beyond the average and the chin is not prominent, post-auricular square jaw reduction surgery can be an alternative.

Post-auricular square jaw reduction surgery aims not for excessive change but for naturally refining the jawline while preserving the existing face shape, making it suitable for those who want relatively subtle facial contour changes.

Its characteristic is that it can deliver a more natural effect compared with conventional square jaw reduction surgery.

Because the incision is made minimally behind the ear rather than inside the mouth, swelling is relatively less, and there are fewer restrictions on eating, so return to daily life tends to be faster.

Although concerns about hemostasis are sometimes mentioned, this is closely related more to the medical team's skill than to the surgical method itself, so it can be adequately managed by an experienced medical team.

Square jaw reduction surgery and post-auricular square jaw reduction surgery differ only in approach, but both procedures can combine cortical bone resection and masseter reduction.

Through this, facial contour improvement can be achieved while considering both bone and muscle, and it helps create a more balanced lower-face line rather than simply reducing the angle.

In addition, instead of resecting the square jaw in a short, straight line,

it is characterized by applying a long curved resection technique that removes it in a gentle, elongated curve, reducing the likelihood of secondary angles and open bite.

However, it is difficult to expect the same slimming effect from square jaw reduction alone for every face shape.

Depending on the face shape, it may be necessary to perform zygoma reduction surgery or chin surgery together to achieve a more harmonious change.

For face shapes with prominent cheekbones, both the side and front widths must be adjusted,

and if the chin is short or not centered, chin surgery can be used to complement the overall proportions.

In the end, for facial contouring surgery, there is no single correct method;

what matters is accurately analyzing the degree of facial development and contour structure, then choosing the surgical method that suits you.

Understanding the characteristics of square jaw reduction surgery and post-auricular square jaw reduction surgery,

and considering combination surgery when necessary, is the key to a natural facial contour improvement through a customized approach.

AB Plastic Surgery Director Jo Dong-pil explained, "Rather than viewing the square jaw, cheekbones, and chin separately, they should be understood and approached as a connected structure of the entire face if natural results are to be expected."

He continued, "Post-auricular square jaw reduction surgery has the advantage that the incision site is not exposed, but because it is a surgery that allows for delicate facial contour correction, it requires extensive surgical experience and a high level of anatomical understanding.

Recovery and results may vary depending on the individual's age, skin elasticity, and muscle condition, so sufficient consultation and diagnosis before surgery are essential," he emphasized.

He also added, "Recent facial contouring surgery trends are shifting toward pursuing natural facial contours that take into account an individual's face shape and proportions, rather than the noticeably smaller faces of the past. Accordingly, recent facial contouring surgery trends are changing in a direction that seeks natural facial contours considering each person's face shape and proportions rather than the noticeably smaller faces of the past, and interest in such customized facial contouring surgery is expected to continue in the future."

Source: https://edu.donga.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=101872