Answers at a Glance
What is square jaw reduction surgery, and and who is it right for?
Square jaw reduction surgery resects the angular lower jawbone (mandibular angle) in a long curve extending toward the chin to soften the jawline in profile, and, if needed, thinly removes the outer cortical bone to reduce the width seen from the front. It is performed through the mouth without any incision in the facial skin, and the amount of bone resected is decided according to the position of the mandibular nerve canal and the bone thickness confirmed on 3D CT. For those whose condition is caused by the jaw muscles, we recommend Botox first instead of surgery.
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
Request a Consultation Consultation Prep Card2 related cases
- Surgery Time
- Approx. 1–1.5 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Hospital Stay
- 1–2 days
- Stitches
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 1–2 weeks
- Final contour
- 3–6 months
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- Those whose jaw angle looks pronounced and angular in profile
- For those whose jawline looks wide from the front, making the face look square
- Those who did not get enough change from square jaw Botox (bone is the cause)
- Those who want to create a V-line together with chin surgery
Square jaw reduction surgery, explained by Dr. Lee in videos
On the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he often receives in the consulting room. Only the videos related to square jaw reduction are collected here. Click to play them right on this page.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
what is long-curve resection?
If only the mandibular angle area is removed, a new corner called a "secondary angle" may form. Resecting in one long curve from the mandibular angle to near the chin lets the jawline connect smoothly in a single flow.
When is cortical bone resection added?
For those whose jaw looks wider from the front than from the side, the outer cortical bone of the mandible is thinly ground down to reduce its width. To avoid damaging the nerve canal, this is performed only within the range where the thickness has been confirmed on CT.
Is removing more always better?
No. Excessive resection increases the risk of sagging, asymmetry, and nerve damage. We aim for a natural line in proportion to the whole face, and for those whose bone sits low on the face and allows only a small amount to be removed, we explain that limitation first.
Botox or surgery: which is right for me?
For those with thick jaw muscles (masseters), reducing muscle volume with Botox comes first. Botox has limited effect for those whose bone is angular. During your consultation, we tell the two apart by feeling the muscle thickness when you clench your teeth and checking the bone on CT.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend square jaw reduction is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria the director actually uses in consultations, recorded in his own words.
Contouring surgery is performed for aesthetic improvement rather than functional improvement, and it must be able to meet the patient's needs. That is why I always identify the patient's expectations accurately and judge whether contouring surgery can meet them.
The goals and direction the patient hopes to achieve through surgery must match the goals and direction of the surgeon performing it.
A consultation where surgery was not recommended
Even when patients come with the same concern, there are cases where surgery is not the answer once skeletal condition and the desired change are considered. This is the conclusion of a consultation where the director made that judgment.
Surgery itself could be considered, but with your current bone structure the change you can expect is limited, so I do not actively recommend square jaw surgery.
See the three consultations where surgery was not recommended
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
Facial bone surgery is not decided by appearance alone. At your first consultation, we record how your bones, teeth, and face relate to one another using the tests below, and first judge from that data whether surgery is needed.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| 3D CT (Large FOV CBCT) | We view the entire facial skeleton, along with the positions of nerves and tooth roots, in 3D. It can be taken on the day of your consultation. |
| Intraoral Scan · Dental Model | We digitally record how your upper and lower teeth fit together. |
| Facial Photos · Measurements | Using front, 45-degree, and side photos, we measure left-right differences and proportions. |
| 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) | On a 3D model that combines your CT, scans, photos, and models, Dr. Lee performs the surgery virtually first, and we review the expected changes together. |
What to Bring
- Referral from your orthodontist and orthodontic diagnosis records (if available)
- Previously taken CT, panoramic, and cephalometric images (records from other clinics are helpful too)
- Front and side-profile photos (to explain the changes you would like)
- Names of medications you are taking, systemic conditions, surgical history, and allergies
- Your school or vacation schedule, so we can plan surgery and recovery
Square Jaw Reduction Consultation Preparation Card (Printable)
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
Consultation · 3D CT
We determine whether the cause of your concern is bone or soft tissue, and measure bone thickness, nerve canal position, and left-right differences.
- 02
Design
On the 3D model, we plan the osteotomy lines and the amount of movement, and together we look at which changes would look natural within the proportions of your whole face.
- 03
Pre-Surgery Tests
Pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and an ECG. We check the medications you take and any systemic conditions.
- 04
Surgery · Hospitalization
1–1.5 hours per area under general anesthesia. After the recovery room, 1–2 days in a private room.
- 05
Follow-up
1-week band · 2-week stitch removal · 1 month · 3 months · 6 months · 1 year. Dr. Lee checks on you personally.
How Recovery and Aftercare Continue
Recovery after square jaw reduction surgery generally follows the sequence below. The timeframes reflect an average course, and recovery speed varies from person to person.
| Timing | Condition and Care |
|---|---|
| Right after surgery – 1 week | Wear a compression band, apply ice packs, and keep your upper body elevated. Liquid to porridge-stage diet. |
| 2 – 4 weeks | Stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser care for residual swelling. |
| 1 – 3 months | Residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. |
| 6 months – 1 year | Final contour stabilizes. Pin removal if needed. |
The Director who consults with you oversees your square jaw reduction from start to finish
At The Barunface, one person, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, handles the consultation, diagnosis, 3D surgical planning, surgery, inpatient rounds, and follow-up. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the surgeon who performs your surgery remembers the concerns and diagnosis from your first consultation, you can ask the same person directly about questions that arise during recovery, such as swelling, sensation, and bite after surgery. Since we are located in Seomyeon, you do not have to make long trips for each follow-up visit.
Before the actual surgery, I perform the surgery on a computer first. I try it one way and another, and think it through carefully. In the past, I could only imagine the jaw position and facial appearance after surgery in my head, but now I can see it directly in 3D, which helps me a great deal and helps patients understand the surgery much more easily.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
- Recovery
- Private inpatient room, swelling-care injections, Smartlux · LDM, Shurink
- Insurance
- Non-covered (VAT not included)
Square Jaw Reduction FAQ 13 questions
01How much does square jaw reduction cost in Busan?
According to The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, square jaw surgery is KRW 5,000,000 (VAT not included), Mini V-line surgery (square jaw + chin) is KRW 6,000,000 (VAT not included), and Contouring 2-type (square jaw + chin) is KRW 8,000,000 (VAT not included). Facial contouring surgery is not covered by insurance, and VAT is charged separately. Reference prices by area are published in the non-covered fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are additional. The exact cost will be explained after diagnosis. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is the recovery after square jaw reduction?
Return to daily life is usually 1–2 weeks. Right after surgery – Week 1: wearing a compression band, ice packs, keeping the upper body upright. Liquid-to-porridge diet. Weeks 2 – 4: stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser for residual swelling. Months 1 – 3: residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. Month 6 – Year 1: final contour settles. Pins are removed if needed. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of square jaw reduction?
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
04What are the anesthesia and hospitalization arrangements for square jaw reduction surgery?
The procedure takes about 1–1.5 hours under general anesthesia, with a 1–2 day hospital stay. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, personally provides your care.
05Can I have square jaw reduction in Busan instead of Seoul?
We do not claim that we are unconditionally better than a large hospital in Seoul. However, at The Barunface in Seomyeon, Busan, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon trained at Seoul National University Dental Hospital and Asan Medical Center in Seoul personally handles your consultation, 3D surgical planning, surgery, private-room recovery, and follow-up care. If a problem arises after surgery, you can check directly with your operating surgeon nearby. Stories from patients who considered Seoul but chose Busan are on the 'Orthognathic Surgery: Do I Need to Go to Seoul?' page.
06Does square jaw surgery involve a skin incision?
The jaw is approached through the mouth without any incision in the facial skin. The stitched areas inside the mouth heal as the mucosa closes, and the degree of recovery varies from person to person.
07Is there a risk of nerve damage?
Because the surgery is performed close to the mandibular nerve canal, you may experience reduced sensation in the lower lip and chin. It recovers in most cases but may rarely remain, so we check the position of the nerve canal on CT and decide the resection range accordingly.
08What is a "secondary angle"?
A new angle that forms at the end of the cut surface when only the mandibular angle is removed. It is prevented with a long-curve resection.
09Is it hard to open your mouth after surgery?
You may have limited mouth opening for about 1–2 weeks, which gradually improves.
10How much does square jaw surgery cost?
Based on our fee schedule, square jaw surgery is KRW 5,000,000 (VAT not included), and Mini V-Line surgery combined with chin surgery is KRW 6,000,000. Anesthesia and hospitalization fees are separate.
11What is the recovery period?
Hospitalization is 1–2 days, a compression band is worn for about 1 week, stitches are removed at about 2 weeks, and residual swelling lasts 1–3 months.
12Will the jawline become angular again after surgery?
The bone does not grow back, but the feel may change due to changes in muscle and fat. For those with thick muscles, Botox may be used alongside.
13Does chin surgery always have to be done together?
No. If the shape of the chin is good, only the square jaw is treated. If the chin is wide or long, treating it together allows the V-line to be completed naturally.
Square Jaw Reduction Cases
These photos are published with the patients' consent. Photographing conditions may not be exactly the same, and results vary from person to person.
3 Contouring Procedures — Cheekbone · Square Jaw · Chin
Three-type contouring surgery that refined the cheekbones, square jaw, and chin at once. One year after surgery.
Long face · Skeletal Class III malocclusion (underbite) — Combined orthognathic surgery and contouring
A long face and underbite (skeletal Class III malocclusion) corrected with orthognathic (double jaw) surgery combined with contouring surgery. 6 months after surgery, including CT before and after surgery.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Square jaw surgery | 50010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| Mini V-line surgery (square jaw + chin) | 60010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| 2-type contouring (square jaw + chin) | 80010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| 3-type contouring (cheekbone + square jaw + chin) | 1,10010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Facial contouring surgery is not covered by insurance (non-reimbursed), and VAT is charged separately. Base prices for each area are published in the non-reimbursed fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are added. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed