Chin Augmentation (Genioplasty)

Technical name: Augmentation Mentoplasty; Genioplasty
Body Parts: Chin
Recommended Age: 20 years of age and up
Anesthesia: local or general anesthetic
Surgery time: 30 min up to 2 hours
Clinic stay: Not necessary
Scar: Discrete, behind the ears
Pre-operative: Lab exams and photographic archive
Post-operative: Bandage protecting the scar for one week
Recuperation period: 7-10 days. Avoid sun-tanning for the first 10 days
Results Duration: Permanent, but results may require several months to become fully visible

What is Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation)

A chin augmentation or chin implant surgery is a surgical procedure to reshape or enhance the size of the chin.

Who are the best candidates for Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation)?

The best candidates for chin augmentation or chin implant surgery are people with weak or receding chins (microgenia), but who have a normal dental bite.

Before your chin augmentation or chin implant surgery, discuss your expectations about looking and feeling better with the plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection.

Anesthesia

 The chin augmentation or chin implant surgery can be performed with either a local or general anesthetic, depending on the patient and the surgeon’s preferences.

Intended Results of Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation)?

The chin is an important feature to evaluate when trying to achieve facial harmony. This is especially true if someone wishes to make a larger nose appear smaller. This is because a weak or receding chin can make your nose appear bigger than it really is. To evaluate your chin, the surgeon will look at your face from a profile view.

You will feel some discomfort and soreness after the chin augmentation or chin implant surgery, which you can easily control with medication. You might have to stick to a liquid diet for a day or two. You can resume light activity the day of the chin augmentation or chin implant surgery.

Chin augmentation or chin implant surgery can balance a weak or receding chin and make a prominent nose seem smaller. A weak chin can also make your neck look overly fleshy.

Usually, a chin augmentation or chin implant surgery provides a more harmonious balance to your face and features so you feel better about the way you look, especially from the profile.

Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation) Procedure Description

Chin augmentation or chin implant surgery is usually done to balance the face by making the chin longer compared to the nose. Chin implants may include solid silicone, bone or fat from the patient’s body. The Chin augmentation or chin implant surgery may be performed at a hospital.

Chin augmentation or chin implant surgery can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the circumstances of your case. The plastic surgeon may use some bone or fat from your body for the chin augmentation or chin implant surgery, harvested cadaver tissue, silicon implants or a whole range of other synthetic or biological inserts which may even include specially prepared coral.

Some chin implants are made of solid silicone, generally considered safe by most physicians because, they say, there is no scientific evidence that solid silicone is harmful. In the operating room, your vital signs will be monitored while the surgeon selects the best size and shape to enhance your appearance.

He then inserts the chin implant into a pocket under your chin. The other option is to have the chin implant inserted through the mouth, along the lower lip. Usually, the chin is taped after the chin augmentation or chin implant surgery to minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures are usually removed in 5 to7 days.

Chin augmentation or chin implant surgery is also commonly combined with facial liposuction, where fat is removed from under the chin and under the neck. Chin implants conform to the bone and are usually undetectable. The chin implant is generally sutured to the bone or attached with titanium surgical screws.

Surgery to correct bite problems can be done at the same time as chin surgery.

Recovery and Healing After Chin augmentation

You should be able to return to work and your usual activities within 7 - 10 days after the chin augmentation or chin implant surgery. You'll probably have the outside bandage removed within a week after the chin augmentation or chin implant surgery.

Complimentary Procedures

Chin augmentation or chin implant surgery is often done in connection with nose surgery (rhinoplasty) or a full face lift.

Notes on Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation)

Most are good for life. But some autologous bone and fat grafts can be reabsorbed into your body. Cadaveric bone grafts are rejected in rare cases while your own natural bone will grow into a coral implant. Some bovine injectibles – which require an allergy test – are permanent.

With the increasing popularity of various cosmetic surgery procedures, including chin implants, it’s important that the prospective patient research and understand different issues such as what the procedure can and cannot treat, inherent risks, costs, and other factors.

Keep in mind, cosmetic surgery is just that – a surgical procedure whose results cannot simply be erased.

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