Jawline Surgery Cost and Procedure Guide

As the structural frame of your lower face, the jawline creates a clear distinction between your jaw and neck. A well-defined, symmetrical jawline is often associated with youth, confidence and facial balance, while a weaker, softer jawline can make your neck look shorter or fuller.¹

Genetics play a major role in shaping your features, but cosmetic procedures like jawline surgery can help enhance definition, correct asymmetry or even reduce excess fat for a more sculpted appearance.²

Before moving forward, it’s important to understand your options, potential costs and what recovery may involve.

What Is Jawline Surgery?

Jawline surgery is a general term for several surgical procedures designed to reshape, define and improve the contour of your jaw and lower face. Depending on your goals, jawline cosmetic surgery may involve jaw implants, chin augmentation, or jawbone reshaping or reduction surgery.³

What does cosmetic jawline surgery treat?

There are many reasons you might consider jawline contouring or augmentation. Most procedures are designed to improve the balance or structure of your lower face by addressing the following:¹

• Weak or recessed chin
• Poorly defined jawline
• Double chin
• Excess fullness of the upper neck
• Facial imbalance or asymmetry
• Skeletal jaw problems that affect appearance

Who is a good candidate for jawline surgery?

Good candidates for jawline surgery are typically healthy adults who want to improve the structure or definition of their lower face. This may include individuals with a recessed chin, facial asymmetry or submental fullness (fat beneath the chin, often called a double chin) in the jaw or neck area.¹

Candidates should have realistic expectations and ensure that any chronic conditions that might impair healing (such as diabetes or high blood pressure) are under control. Smoking is also an important consideration. It’s recommended that you stop smoking before and after surgery because nicotine can restrict blood flow, which may delay healing and increase the chance of complications such as infection or poor wound healing.⁴

A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to determine whether you’re a good candidate and which procedure may be appropriate for your goals.

Types of Jawline Cosmetic Surgery

Jawline surgery isn’t a single procedure. In fact, depending on your goals, it may involve multiple procedures performed on the same day or in stages over several months.⁵

Some procedures focus on making changes to your jawline, while others bring your features into alignment by making subtle changes to your chin or neck area.¹

During the consultation phase, your plastic surgeon will help you decide which surgery or combination of procedures you’ll need to meet your desired outcome.

Here are some of the most common types of jawline surgeries.

Jaw implant

For this surgery, solid silicone or porous polyethylene implants are placed along your jawline to make the lower part of your face appear wider, more angular or better-defined.⁶

Mandibular angle implants, placed near the back corners of the jaw below your ears, are a specific type of jaw implant used to enhance the sharpness of your jawline. To ensure the best result, your surgeon may custom design the size and shape of the implants to fit your facial structure.⁶

Chin implant

A chin implant adds size and projection to your chin if it is small or recessed. While it focuses on the chin area, it can also improve the appearance of your entire jaw — refining your overall side profile and facial harmony.³

Sliding genioplasty (mentoplasty)

Similar to chin implant surgery, sliding genioplasty (also known as mentoplasty) reshapes and repositions your natural chin bone. A skilled plastic surgeon can move the bone forward, backward, up or down to create a more balanced appearance and sculpted jawline.⁷

V-line jaw reduction or reshaping

This procedure focuses on narrowing the lower jaw to create a more tapered, V-shaped contour. It often involves removing some of the bone that forms the angle of your lower jaw. You might opt for this procedure to soften a boxy or overly sharp jawline.⁸

How Much Does Jawline Surgery Cost?

The average cost of jawline surgery can vary between $5,000 and $10,500 depending on the procedure, provider and location.

Here are the average costs for some of the most common types of jawline surgeries:

What affects the cost?

In addition to the type of surgery, there are several other factors that can influence the total price you’ll pay, including:⁷

• The surgeon’s expertise and credentials
• Geographic location
• Facility and anesthesia fees
• Imaging, lab work and consultations
• Custom vs. standard implants

Cost may also be higher in major metropolitan areas compared with smaller cities or rural regions.

Is Jawline Surgery Covered by Insurance?

This depends largely on the reasons why you’re getting the surgery.

In most cases, jawline cosmetic surgery isn’t covered by insurance when performed for aesthetic reasons. However, if the procedure is medically necessary — such as correcting severe jaw misalignment or functional issues that impair chewing — some or all of the cost may be covered.¹⁰

It’s important to check with your provider and surgeon early in the process to understand eligibility for medically necessary procedures and documentation requirements.

How Can You Pay for Jawline Surgery?

There are several ways to pay for jawline surgery, depending on what your provider offers and your budget: some pay upfront with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others use an HSA/FSA (if eligible) or choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services.** If approved, you can make monthly payments (including promotional financing options where available); terms, approval and minimum monthly payments vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

What Is the Jawline Cosmetic Surgery Process?

If you’re considering jawline surgery, the first step is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the type of surgery you’re interested in pursuing. The surgeon will review your medical history, any medications you take, your facial anatomy and your goals.¹¹

The exact process will vary based on the procedure you choose, but most jawline surgeries follow similar steps for preparation, the procedure itself and recovery.

Preparation

Before surgery, your provider may recommend imaging, lab work or adjustments to medication. You may also need to stop smoking, avoid certain supplements, and arrange transportation and aftercare. Preparing your recovery space ahead of time can help support a smoother healing process.

Procedure for facial implant surgery

You may receive either IV sedation or general anesthesia first to ensure you remain as comfortable as possible during the procedure.¹¹

For chin surgeries, a chin implant is placed through an incision inside your mouth or just beneath your chin and positioned for optimal chin projection and facial balance. Jaw implants are similar but are placed through incisions inside your mouth toward the back of your jaw area to conceal any potential scars.¹¹

Once these implants are in position, your surgeon will close the incisions with stitches, which may dissolve on their own or need removal during follow-up care.¹¹

Procedure for sliding genioplasty

Anesthesia choices for this procedure include local anesthesia (numbing medicine injected into the chin area), IV sedation and, in some cases, general anesthesia. Make sure to discuss these options with your surgeon during your consultation.⁷

For the procedure itself, the number and location of sliding genioplasty incisions may vary based on the technique your surgeon uses. Some surgeons work entirely through incisions inside your mouth while others may perform the surgery through small incisions under your chin.⁷

Incisions inside the mouth will be closed with stitches, but external incisions may only require skin adhesive or tape.⁷

Procedure for V-line surgery

This jaw contouring procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia — so you’ll be asleep during the surgery and shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort. Before anesthesia, your surgeon will mark the surgical area to help ensure a safe and effective surgery.⁸

Once you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make incisions to access the jawbone. The procedure involves contouring the mandible (lower jaw) by removing sections of the bone through shaving or cutting. Some surgeries combine multiple methods and may or may not include a chin implant to achieve your goals. The procedure may take around one to two hours.⁸

After the bone has been reshaped, your surgeon will close the incisions with stitches and place a dressing over the surgical site. Depending on the extent of the surgery, your surgeon may place a drain to remove excess fluid and help control swelling.⁸

Surgery recovery

Recovery varies by procedure but generally includes swelling, discomfort and temporary activity restrictions.⁸

You may also be instructed to:

• Wear a compression garment.⁸
• Follow a modified diet.⁷
• Take prescribed medications.¹¹

Initial swelling may improve within a few weeks, but final results can take several months.¹²

Is Jawline Cosmetic Surgery Safe?

Jawline surgery is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, like any surgical procedure, it carries the potential for complications.

Possible side effects may include:¹²

• Swelling and bruising
• Temporary numbness in the lips, chin and cheeks
• Infection
• Bleeding

More complex procedures involving bone reshaping may require longer recovery times and increase the likelihood of complications. Following your surgeon’s instructions closely can help reduce complications and support healing.⁸

Alternatives to Jawline Surgery: Non-Surgical Facelift and Enhancements

If you want a more sculpted look but aren’t ready for major surgery, there are several less invasive options available. However, these approaches typically provide more limited results and do not replace surgical reshaping for more significant changes.

Chin liposuction, neck liposuction and jaw liposuction

If you already have great bone structure, you may just need to uncover it. This procedure removes excess fat using a thin tube (cannula) inserted into the target area through small incisions.²

Facial fat grafting

Fat grafting is a popular body contouring technique that uses liposuction. During this procedure, fat is removed from another part of your body and injected into the jawline or chin to add volume and improve overall facial balance.¹³

A qualified provider can help you evaluate surgical and non-surgical jawline treatments to determine which approach best aligns with your goals.

Is Jawline Surgery Right for You?

Jawline surgery offers a range of options for enhancing facial definition, from subtle contouring to more dramatic structural changes. Costs, recovery time and results can vary significantly depending on the procedure you choose and your individual anatomy.

Understanding these differences — and consulting with a qualified surgeon — can help you make a more confident, informed decision and choose an approach that aligns with your goals and expectations.

Financing Jawline Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for jawline surgeries and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For the past decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.