Chin Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions
A well-defined chin gives balance to the face. Chin projection has been consistently shown to correlate strongly with facial attractiveness for both men and women in multiple cross-cultural studies. It is important, however, that the size and shape of the chin is in harmony with the other facial structures. For example, a very small chin can make the nose look disproportionately large, while a very large chin can make the entire upper face (forehead, eyes, nose) look disproportionately small.
Am I a good candidate for Cosmetic Chin Surgery?
If your chin seems too big, too small, or its shape impacts your sense of self-esteem, then cosmetic chin surgery can help. If the angle of your jaw has poor definition, the nose looks disproportionately large, or the neck looks very heavy and full compared with the upper face, cosmetic chin surgery can also help restore facial proportions.
Which types of surgical procedures can be done?
Mentoplasty, also called genioplasty, is the term used to describe surgical alteration of the lower mandible (jaw or chin bones). Bone can be removed to decrease chin projection or surgically advanced to increase chin projection. In addition, silicone and other implants can be used to augment the chin or modify its shape. Mentoplasty can also be done for congenital deformities, bone malposition impacting chewing, or as part of gender reassignment surgery. Often chin augmentation is combined with other surgical procedures such as neck liposuction or rhinoplasty to improve facial proportions.
Are there any non-surgical alternatives to Chin Surgery?
In suitable candidates, hydroxyapatite or hyaluronic acid filler can be used to augment the chin. It is important to note that this would be considered an “off-label” use of those injectables, so you must thoroughly review the risks versus benefits with your injector before consenting to proceed.
What are the risks of Cosmetic Chin Surgery?
Risks include infection, hematoma formation, damage to the nerves of the chin (sensory or motor), damage to the roots of the teeth, and either over-correction or under-correction of the defect. If a chin implant is used, there are additional risks including implant dislocation, implant extrusion, and thinning of underlying bone.
What is recovery like for Cosmetic Chin Surgery?
Most patients will return to work after 7-10 days and exercise or heavy lifting must be avoided for 2 weeks. For cases when an intraoral approach is used (i.e. incision made inside the mouth), patients are placed on a soft diet for 4-5 days.