Chin augmentation, or mentoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to reshape and add fullness to the chin. This can be done either by enhancement with an implant, or by repositioning the bone structure. A chin implant can be a life-changing procedure for patients, often due to positive effects to an individual’s social life, allowing those with a weak or recessed chin to gain confidence in their appearance. Dr. Eric Payne is a highly trained craniofacial plastic surgeon who has extensive experience enhancing the profile of the chin and face, whether through an implant or by repositioning the chin bone.
Is Chin Augmentation Right for Me?
Patients who have a small or receding chin usually benefit from this cosmetic procedure. Chin surgery helps provide a harmonious balance to your facial features so that you can feel confident about yourself and the way you look.
How Can a Chin Implant Improve My Appearance?
Chin implants can increase the size, proportion, and shape of a chin that is small or lacks balance with the rest of the face. It can help add structure to a small chin, making it a more distinct feature. A chin implant can also increase a patient’s confidence due to the improvement in facial harmony.
Osseous Genioplasty vs. Chin Implant Surgery
Surgeons who are not comfortable with jaw surgery will frequently suggest a chin implant over a bone advancement with genioplasty surgery. Unfortunately, this is a one-size-fits-all approach in most cases, and may not always work for everyone. Some surgeons claim that a genioplasty is an outdated, more expensive, and longer procedure with higher risks of infection. This is simply not true and osseous genioplasty offers very close to the same cost and length of time in the operating room. The procedure also has a lesser risk of infection. Asymmetry of the chin and jawline can be worsened with a chin implant but corrected with a genioplasty surgery by repositioning the bone. In addition, the height of the chin can be reduced or elongated to balance the face. To sum up the differences — a chin implant only adds volume versus an osseous genioplasty, which can reposition the chin, elongate the chin, or set the chin back.
Types of Chin Augmentation
Chin augmentation is a relatively simple procedure and Dr. Payne will decide if an implant or bone advancement is right for you.
Chin Implants
Chin implants are placed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Dr. Payne will choose the proper implant to fit you seamlessly. Chin implants are a permanent and beautiful way to add size to your chin area. The implant is typically made of either a hard plastic called porous polyethylene or silicone. We avoid silicone implants in the chin for facial plastic surgery because it can have distortion or shift over time. Typically, we prefer a much harder material, such as porous polyethylene implants, which have lower infection risks.
Bone Advancement
An osseous genioplasty is a bone advancement held in place with plate and screw implants. This procedure is done for larger chin advancement through a small incision hidden inside the lower lip. By cutting the jawbone, the chin bone can also be lowered to help not only lengthen the chin, but provide more vertical height of the chin creating an aesthetically pleasing facial balance.
Some patients need other surgeries, such as a rhinoplasty or facelift, which can be combined with a chin augmentation surgery. Combining these procedures can improve a weak chin appearance and reduce the nose or lift sagging facial skin to create a more youthful appearance in the jawline. Occasionally, liposuction of the neck area can help with defining the chin in addition to adding volume to the chin itself to move it forward, creating a more defined jaw aesthetic.
“The staff is absolutely amazing! My results are awesome! The doctor kept his word and enhanced the beauty that was already there. wonderful job!”
What Can I Expect During the Chin Augmentation Recovery Period?
After chin augmentation, the chin is wrapped and bandaged to minimize any swelling or discomfort and to protect the area. There is usually some bruising, and this is completely normal and will begin to subside after two weeks. We will check the surgical site and incision during your post-operative clinic visit to ensure that everything is healing properly. Sutures placed inside the mouth will typically dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed. Sutures on the outside of the chin in the submental area may or may not need to be removed.
How Long Do Chin Implants Last?
Chin implants can last for the rest of your life if porous polyethylene implants are used. When using silicone implants, you can expect to have to remove the implants and change them out in the future. The silicone chin implants also have a higher risk of infection and are much more likely to move due to scar tissue forming around the implant, often distorting the implant. An implant can cause some bone reabsorption along the jawline and chin area. It is not expected to have to ever replace porous polyethylene implants like silicone implants because they rarely shift or change position with time.
How Much Does Chin Augmentation Cost?
The cost of chin augmentation can be around $4,000 to $6,000 compared to the cost of an osseous genioplasty, which is about $5,000 to $7,000.
Will I Have a Visible Scar From Chin Augmentation?
Scarring may occur, but is usually hidden and heals nicely with proper care. The scars will be hidden either inside the mouth near the lower lip or under the chin. We will walk you through the entire process and our team will provide postoperative instructions to help you have the best recovery process possible.
Can I Get Non-Surgical Chin Augmentation?
Liquid chin augmentation is a commonly requested procedure that does not involve making an incision or placing an implant. It is done with the use of dermal fillers placed directly on the bone. Injectable fillers, such as JUVÉDERM VOLUMA®, will change the facial appearance by augmenting the jawline. Typically this requires between 2-6 cc’s of filler to provide definition along the jaw and chin. This is done on an outpatient basis in the clinic without sedation or local anesthesia. You can return to work the same day and will not need any pain medication. The effects of chin augmentation with filler last approximately one to two years depending on how quickly the material is metabolized by your body.