Definition
하악골성형술 (haaggol seonghyeongsul, “mandible shaping surgery”) — referred to clinically as mandibuloplasty — is surgery that modifies the shape, width, or projection of the mandible, the horseshoe-shaped lower jaw bone. The mandible anchors the lower teeth, defines the lower facial third, and contributes significantly to overall face width as seen from the front. Procedures classified under mandibuloplasty involve cutting, repositioning, or removing sections of mandibular bone. Because board-certified plastic surgeons in Korea must complete a six-year medical degree plus a four-year plastic surgery residency before performing these procedures,¹ the term is used precisely in clinical settings to distinguish jaw bone surgery from soft-tissue-only facial work.
Types of Mandibuloplasty
Three distinct surgical approaches fall under the mandibuloplasty umbrella, each differing in anatomical scope and recovery demand.
Posterior angle resection (osteotomy) is the most common form performed in Korea. The surgeon cuts and removes the flared-out section of the mandibular angle — the corner where the jaw turns upward toward the ear — to reduce face width. This is the procedure most people mean when they say “jaw reduction surgery.”
Outer cortex removal (cortical ostectomy) is a less invasive alternative. Rather than cutting through the full jaw angle, the surgeon shaves the outer bone layer (cortex) of the mandibular angle to reduce its thickness and outward projection. No full-thickness osteotomy is made. It suits patients with mild-to-moderate lateral protrusion and carries a shorter recovery, but produces less dramatic width reduction than full angle resection.
Long-curve osteotomy extends the osteotomy cut along the inferior (lower) border of the mandible toward the chin, reshaping not just the angle but the full arc of the jaw line. This approach addresses both width and the squareness of the lower jaw border in a single surgical pass.
| Type | Bone Cut? | Width Reduction | Relative Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posterior angle resection | Yes — full osteotomy | Moderate–large | More intensive |
| Outer cortex removal | No — surface shave only | Mild–moderate | Less intensive |
| Long-curve osteotomy | Yes — extended cut | Moderate–large + border | More intensive |
Difference from Genioplasty
Mandibuloplasty and genioplasty both involve the mandible, but they address different anatomical zones with different surgical goals.
Mandibuloplasty targets the posterior mandible — specifically the angle and ramus (the vertical section running from angle to condyle). Its primary goal is reducing jaw width or altering the angular definition of the lower face as viewed from the front or side.
Genioplasty targets the anterior symphysis — the chin point at the very front of the mandible. Surgeons cut and reposition this chin segment to change chin projection (forward/backward), vertical height (lengthening or shortening), and lateral symmetry.
The two procedures affect visually distinct facial zones: mandibuloplasty changes the lateral silhouette and overall face width; genioplasty changes the profile and anterior chin point. They are frequently performed together — this combination is the clinical basis of what Korean clinics market as “V-line surgery” — but each is independently indicated and independently recoverable. A patient with a wide jaw but well-proportioned chin may need only mandibuloplasty; a patient with a protruding chin but narrow jaw may need only genioplasty.
Recovery Implications
Mandibuloplasty carries a more intensive recovery than most elective cosmetic facial procedures because it involves actual bone surgery performed intraorally (through incisions inside the mouth). Patients typically follow a liquid diet for two to three weeks post-operation to limit jaw movement while bone begins stabilizing. Significant swelling peaks in the first week and remains visible for four to six weeks. Numbness along the lower lip and chin — caused by proximity of the inferior alveolar nerve to the surgical site — is common and usually resolves within three to six months. Final results, once swelling has fully resolved and bone has remodeled, are typically visible at three to six months. Surgeons performing these procedures in Korea must hold KSPRS board certification,¹ which is verifiable through the KSPRS public registry.²
Related Terms
Mandible — the lower jaw bone. Osteotomy — a surgical cut through bone. Ramus — the vertical portion of the mandible connecting the angle to the temporomandibular joint. Inferior alveolar nerve — the nerve running through the mandible that supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin; its proximity to the surgical site is a key risk factor in mandibuloplasty. V-line surgery — Korean marketing term bundling mandibuloplasty with genioplasty.
What is the difference between mandibuloplasty and V-line surgery?
V-line surgery is a marketing term describing the goal: a V-shaped jaw contour viewed from the front. Mandibuloplasty describes the surgical procedure used to achieve it. V-line surgery typically combines mandibuloplasty (jaw angle reduction) with genioplasty (chin reshaping) for full anterior contour — the term bundles procedures; mandibuloplasty describes only the jaw bone component.
Does mandibuloplasty affect chewing or jaw function?
Temporary jaw function changes (difficulty opening wide, jaw fatigue, altered bite sensation) are common for 4–8 weeks post-mandibuloplasty. Permanent functional impairment is uncommon at correctly performed surgical volumes. Patients who grind their teeth (bruxism) should discuss this with their surgeon as it may complicate outcomes.
Is mandibuloplasty the same as jaw shaving?
Jaw shaving typically refers to outer cortex removal — a less invasive procedure that shaves the bony outer surface of the mandibular angle without osteotomy. Full mandibuloplasty involves actual bone cutting (osteotomy) and segment removal. Jaw shaving is colloquial; mandibuloplasty is the clinical term for the more comprehensive surgical procedure.
Sources
- Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons — Board Certification Registry: Training requirements and legal certification requirement. [ksprs-registry-training-requirements; ksprs-registry-legal-requirement]
- Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons — Public Verification Registry. [ksprs-registry-public-verification]