The definition of the lower face — particularly the jawline — is now a major aesthetic concern for many patients. The goal is often the same: to achieve a sharper, more angular, or more balanced mandibular line, whether to emphasize features, correct asymmetry, or restore the harmony of a profile. To achieve this, two distinct approaches exist: jawline contouring with hyaluronic acid injections, and jaw implants, which fall under surgery. While both techniques pursue a similar intention, they are based on fundamentally different principles, methods, and outcomes. Here are the essential distinctions to understand their respective scope.
Jawline contouring with injections is based on the use of a dense hyaluronic acid, specifically designed for deep volumetric remodeling. Injected deeply, sometimes in contact with the bone, it allows for the recreation of mandibular angles, strengthening of the jawline, or enhancement of chin projection if necessary. This approach is non-invasive, performed in the clinic, without general anesthesia or scars. It does not require hospitalization or time off work.
One of the main advantages of this technique is its adaptability: the doctor adjusts the volumes according to anatomy, patient expectations, facial symmetry, and tissue quality. The result is immediately visible, although it continues to improve over the following days. However, it is not permanent: depending on the products used and the patient’s physiology, the effect lasts 10 to 12 months.
Mandibular implants represent a completely different approach. This is a surgical procedure performed by a maxillofacial or aesthetic surgeon under general anesthesia. The operation involves placing silicone or biocompatible implants on the mandibular bone, usually at the angles or the chin, depending on the needs. The goal is to reconstruct a more prominent, permanent, and structured bone framework.
Unlike injections, implants provide a lasting result with no resorption. They are sometimes indicated in cases of significant retrognathia or congenital bone deficiency. However, this approach involves incisions, more significant postoperative recovery (swelling, bruising, difficulty chewing), and specific surgical risks: infection, implant displacement, secondary asymmetry, inflammatory reaction.
Surgery is reserved for specific indications after a thorough evaluation. It offers a definitive result but at the cost of a more invasive procedure and an irreversible commitment.
The choice between these two options depends not only on the patient’s preference but, above all, on the medical indication, the initial anatomy, and the extent of the desired correction.
Injections are ideal in the following cases :
The placement of implants is more suitable for patients :
These are therefore not competing techniques, but different responses to different indications. In some cases, a well-performed injection may be sufficient to achieve the desired result. In others, only an implant can truly correct the bony imbalance.
Patients who choose injections often report high satisfaction, notably due to the speed of the procedure, the absence of social downtime, and the ability to adjust the result. Jawline contouring is a flexible solution, compatible with precise and gradual aesthetic expectations. The fact that the result is reversible also enhances the sense of safety.
Patients who opt for implants often seek a more pronounced transformation, sometimes motivated by a longstanding concern or functional discomfort. Opinions are generally positive when the treatment has been appropriately indicated, but the recovery period is longer and more delicate.
In both cases, the quality of the result primarily depends on the indication determined by the doctor, the technical quality of the procedure, and clear communication about the expectations and limits of each method.
Yes, but this requires a gradual, thoughtful approach under medical supervision. In many cases, hyaluronic acid injections serve as a first step in a broader aesthetic plan. They allow the patient to visualize mandibular projection, assess its effect on facial balance, and become familiar with structural changes before considering, if necessary, a more invasive option.
Some people use jawline contouring as a “reversible test,” especially if they are hesitant about an implant. This approach offers the advantage of progressive adjustment, with visible but temporary results, and without immediate surgical commitment. If the patient is satisfied with the volume, projection, and overall outcome, they can then decide, together with their doctor, to move toward a permanent solution.
However, it is important to respect a time interval between the last injection and any potential surgical procedure. The presence of hyaluronic acid in the tissues can interfere with implant placement: it alters volume perception, can make anatomical planes less clear, and, in rare cases, may promote an inflammatory reaction. It is therefore recommended to wait at least 6 to 12 months after the last injection, depending on the product used and the observed resorption, before considering a mandibular implant.
In summary, injections can precede surgery, provided they are part of a planned, coordinated therapeutic strategy that respects biological timing.
Each approach — whether injections or implants — carries its own risks, which should be clearly explained to patients.
Hyaluronic acid injections have a high safety profile when performed by an experienced doctor. The most common side effects are temporary: swelling, redness, local sensitivity. More rarely, one may observe :
Mandibular implants are a surgical procedure that carries certain risks. The main complications described are :
Moreover, implants require an incision, with a longer healing phase, temporary functional discomfort (chewing, speech), and regular postoperative follow-up.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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