The chin is the most apparent and most potentially aesthetic feature of the lower part of the face. In coordination with the nose, the chin determines the shape and profile of the entire face.
When the chin is too big, too small, too wide, or too narrow it affects the overall balance of all the person’s features. However, plastic surgery, including skillful and aesthetic use of chin implants can do wonders in achieving a defined and balanced profile.
One very important factor that must be kept in mind with any chin surgery is an understanding of the female chin and the male chin. The size and shape of the chin, in balance with other facial features help create a gender identity. This is why it’s so important to have any facial cosmetic procedure, including chin implants, performed by an experienced and aesthetically aware surgeon such as our surgeons.
Implants for a Receding Chin
Either from genetics or aging, an individual may find himself and herself with a receding chin – that is, a chin that is less pronounced and appears to slope backwards.
A receding chin can be brought forward in one of two ways, either by cutting the chin and sliding it forward (sliding genioplasty), or by adding a synthetic implant to the bone. Sliding genioplasty involves cutting bones and inserting metal plates and screws, it is much more aggressive than silicone chin augmentation.
Chin Implants Change the Shape of the Chin
Chin implants are also used to correct a variety of other aesthetically challenging situations:
- Asymmetry of the jawline
- A chin that appears too small for the rest of the face
- A chin that has lost definition as an effect of aging
- Fatty deposits under the chin
- Jawline irregularity due to trauma, accident, or genetics
- An imbalance between the lower and upper facial planes – strong upper facial features and a ‘weak’ chin
The large number of styles and sizes of chin implants available allow a great deal of flexibility in deciding how you want your chin to look. Chin implants are available to increase the amount of horizontal projection, offer some vertical lengthening, and increase or narrow the width of the chin – square, rounded, or with a narrow triangular shape.
Chin implant options include:
Central Chin Implants: This implant is available in the original chin implant shape and provides various degrees of chin projection.
Anatomical Chin Implants: Chin augmentation in conjunction with mild to moderate contouring of the front part of the jaw are provided with the use of this chin implant. Two wings positioned at 45-degree angles allow the implant to contour to the front portion of the mandibular bone (jawbone), which provides better stability and smoother lines.
Extended Anatomical Chin Implants: With the extended version of the anatomical implant, the ‘wings’ are extended in length to provide further enhancement of the jawline, and to create a more angular or square jawline structure. The wings taper along the lower mandibular ridge in a “wrap-around” design for better restoration of the mandibular support structure. This implant can also be used to correct the appearance of jowls.
Each implant is available in a selection of sizes, thicknesses, and projections.
Custom Implants: In addition to the chin implants just mentioned there are options available for customized chin implants. A CT scan can be used to help design a unique three-dimensional implant to correct any mandibular defects or asymmetries not addressed by the other implant models.
Who can benefit from chin augmentation surgery?
People born with poorly defined chin may desire mentoplasty for better facial balance. Procedure is sought after by women and men to correct receding chin and provide more attractive look of distinction. Sometimes procedure is performed for those born with congenital defects. Chin augmentation is frequently performed in combination with nasal surgery (rhinoplasty).*
How is mentoplasty performed?
The procedure is usually performed under intravenous sedation (light anesthesia) but can be performed under only local anesthesia with or without oral sedation. It is an outpatient surgery, with patients going to recover in the comfort of their homes within a couple hours from surgery. A single incision is either placed under the chin or inside the mouth for access to place the implant, which is made up of a very safe and stable silicone or a porous synthetic material. The size of the implant is typically pre-determined during a consultation performed with a help of a Mirror 3D imaging system. The implant is then inserted and secured in place before closing the incision.
Are chin implants safe?
Chin implants provide permanent correction of the receding chin and augment facial profile. For years they provide safe and predictable surgical procedure. Millions of implants have been placed worldwide, most of them made of silicone rubber or porous synthetic material (Porex). Similar materials are used for joint replacement and heart valves. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. During your consultation with Dr. Turowski, he will help you decide which implant is best for you.
How long is a recovery?
There is minimal postoperative discomfort, easily controlled with oral pain medications. Bruising is usually negligible, visible swelling may be present for a few days. A soft food diet may be required for several days as chewing maybe limited.
Chin Implant (Augmentation) – Before Surgery
First, Dr. Turowski will discuss the source of the difficulty and the correct implant and implant procedure will be determined – Chin implants can be inserted either from inside the mouth (intraoral) or under the chin (submental). Computer imaging of the profile view is of great value in determining how much chin advancement and the extent of reshaping needed. X-rays may also be used to help determine the surgical treatment plan.
Chin Implant – During Surgery
Chin augmentation surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis either under general anesthesia or a local anesthesia or/and IV sedation.
Incisions are typically placed either inside the mouth at the place where your gum meets the lower lip, or under the chin in the natural crease line where it will be hidden.
Once the implant is placed, the incisions are closed and bandages applied, as needed. Some sutures will dissolve on their own after a few weeks, while others may need to be removed on one of your return, check-up visits to the clinic.
The entire operation takes approximately an hour, unless it’s being done in combination with another procedure, such as a rhinoplasty or facelift.
Chin Implant – After Surgery
After your procedure, if it is performed under general anesthesia it is advised that you have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours. If it is performed under local anesthesia you can recover like after a dental procedure If the incisions were placed in your mouth, you will be restricted to a soft diet for a few days following surgery and you will need to rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating in order to keep the incision and sutures clean.
Any sutures placed within the mouth will dissolve on their own while any placed in the skin under the chin will be removed about a week following the operation.
Chin implants are normally very well tolerated and infection is rare.
Chin implant surgery is a highly successful surgical procedure for both men and women. It can be an almost miraculous procedure for someone who has lived their life with an underdeveloped, or misshapen chin or jaw line.
*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.
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