Square Jaw
Men with a square face and women with an oval face shape can consider themselves lucky. Strong, angular jawlines are considered attractive in men. Square face shapes photograph amazingly and also age very well. A well-structured jaw gives the whole face a great appearance and is indicative of good gum and teeth health as well. And the jaw is not just a facial feature that adds to attractiveness. A properly functioning jaw is essential for many essential daily functions, including chewing, talking, and breathing. Disorders of the jaw bone such as misalignment can interfere with these functions and impact the quality of your life.
If you suffer from jaw related problems, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can perform corrective jaw surgery to improve function. A plastic or cosmetic surgeon can do cosmetic jaw surgery to help improve your appearance. Please continue reading to learn more about face shapes and how plastic surgery can alter the facial shape.
What is the most attractive jaw shape?
All face shapes have their unique beauty and it's difficult to say which one is the best. Different shapes appeal to different people. However, in general, a prominent jaw line and square chin with the jaw and forehead being roughly the same width is considered the most attractive in men. This face shape has a strong, masculine appearance. In women, an oval face shape is considered ideal by many people. Round faces are also appealing and are one of the most common face shapes.
What is the ugliest face shape?
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. There is no such thing as an ugly face shape. But many people find face shapes where the chin or jaw is excessively protruding or receding to be unattractive. This can be fixed with cosmetic jaw surgery or corrective jaw surgery to create a more angular and slender jawline that matches the rest of the facial features.
What causes a square jaw?
A square jaw occurs due to extra bone jutting out in the lower jaw from the sides. It can also be caused by a thickening of the masseter muscles.
Understanding face shapes
Not sure what face shape you have? Can't tell the difference between a diamond face shape or a square face shape? Here's how you can figure out what face shape you have.
Find the widest part of your face
People who have the forehead as the widest part of the face with the face shape tapering down towards the jaw probably have a heart shaped or an inverted triangle facial shape. Oval, round, and diamond face shapes have the cheekbones as the widest part. If the jaw is the widest part of the face and the forehead is narrower, the face shape is likely pear shaped. Individuals with an equal width of forehead, cheekbones, and jaw likely have a square face.
Find your jaw shape
People with a square face shape usually have a square jaw. Those with an oval or round face tend to have a rounded jaw. Heart and diamond face shapes usually have a pointy chin and jaw.
Measure the length of your face
Those with an equal length and width of the face with a rounded jaw likely have a round face. People with a face that is longer than it is wider with the cheekbones being the widest part of the face have an oval face shape.
Check for a widow's peak
People who have a widow's peak and pointed chin (the forehead or cheekbones are wide and the face tapers down in the lower third) probably have a heart shaped face. Those with these same features but without a widow's peak likely have an inverted triangle face shape.
Keep in mind that you may have a combination of two different face shapes, for instance, a rounded square shaped face, a long square face (rectangle), or a rounded heart shaped face. Just choose the most dominant feature and that's your face shape!
Hairstyles and makeup by face shape
Round Face
For a round face shape (length and width roughly equal), no sharp angles, a rounded jaw, and wide and high cheekbones, choose makeup and hairstyles that elongate the round face shape (for example, long hair).
Long Face
For a long face shape (face length is significantly longer than it is wider) with roughly equal width of the forehead, cheekbones, and chin, choose makeup and haircuts that add width (for instance, bouncy waves or a deep side part).
Heart Shaped Face
For a heart shaped face with a widow's peak at the hairline and a pointed chin, wide forehead and cheekbones, and a narrower jaw, choose makeup and hairstyles that take the focus off the forehead and add width at the jaw line.
Square Face Shapes
For a square face shape with a square jaw, equal width of forehead, cheekbones, and jaw, or a rectangular shape with minimal curves, choose makeup and hairstyles that soften the angle of the jaw.
Diamond Face
For a diamond face shape, wide cheekbones, and a narrow forehead and jaw, choose makeup and haircuts that broaden the forehead and jawline (for example, a long bob).
Triangle Face
For an inverted triangle face shape with a wider forehead and a narrow pointed chin, choose makeup and hairstyles that take the focus away from the forehead and add width to the jawline.
Pear Shaped Face
For a pear face shape with a wide jaw and narrow cheeks and forehead, choose makeup and a haircut to soften the jawline and add width to the forehead.
Oval or Rounded Square Shaped Face
For oval face shapes that are rounded but slightly longer than wide, with no sharp angular features, choose makeup and hairstyles as you like - this is considered the ideal face shape in women (the ideal for men is a square face and strong jawline).
Jaw Surgery
If you are unhappy with the shape of your jaw, for example, if you're a woman who has a square jaw that looks masculine, cosmetic jaw surgery can help. While this type of surgery can make long faces appear wider or square faces appear rounder and so on, it cannot make you look like your favorite celebrity (Kerry Washington, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Lucy Liu, Liv Tyler are some of the most popular face shapes that come to mind). Meaning, the cosmetic surgery can make tweaks to your face shape, but it cannot change your basic facial structure.
Another type of jaw surgery is called orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery. It is performed to address dental problems and correct irregularities and misalignment of the jaw bone in people with functional problems. These problems can range from jaw pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and biting, chewing, and swallowing problems to breathing or snoring problems, open bite, and facial injuries.
What to expect before jaw bone surgery?
At the time of your initial consultation, your surgeon will perform a thorough physical examination and may obtain X-rays and models of your teeth as well as other imaging with MRI and CT scans. This helps the doctors plan the surgery properly. You may be shown what's going to happen during the surgery by means of computer models.
How is jaw surgery done?
During corrective jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery, the surgeon moves and adjusts the jaw to improve function. It is a complex operation since the jaw is an intricate structure. Jaw surgery is usually done under general anesthesia, so you are unconscious during the operation and will not feel any pain or discomfort. You might need to stay overnight in the hospital. If you are going home the same day but had the operation under general anesthesia, you'll need someone to drive you home.
The surgery is done keeping in mind overall aesthetics and appearance as well. Most of the surgery is done from inside the mouth, so there are no visible scars on the skin. The jawbone is accessed through incisions in the gums. The jawline can be modeled using a small surgical saw. The muscle can be manipulated as well. The jaw can also be moved to a new position and held in place with screws and/or metal plates.
What is the recovery like after jaw surgery?
There may not be any pain or significant discomfort after minor surgery, for example, surgery on the lower jaw. If the procedure is more extensive, there can be some post-procedure soreness in the jaw and mouth. This can usually be managed with pain relievers. Other post-surgical symptoms may include a bruising, tightness, and swelling along the jawline and surgical area. It may be difficult to open the mouth for some time and there can be problems with biting, chewing, and swallowing. Your doctor will advise you on how to manage these symptoms. For example, using cold compresses and sleeping upright may help keep the swelling down.
What are the potential complications of jaw surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, jaw surgery also carries the risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, numbness, bite adjustment, and wound healing problems. In general, patients do not usually experience complications after this type of operation. You should follow all post-surgical instructions from your doctor to reduce your risk of problems after the procedure.
Finding a surgeon for square jaw
If you would like to explore plastic surgery options to alter the shape of your jaw, it's important to choose the right plastic surgeon who has the necessary skills and experience of over a decade to perform this complex operation. Your surgeon should also have the aesthetic sense to create the results you desire.
The MeTime app makes it easy to find top-rated cosmetic surgeons in your area. You can chat with experts, send photos across, do a video consultation, and book an office appointment when you're ready. Download the MeTime app today and find out what treatment or procedure could benefit you.