Chin Augmentation Surgery with Implants

Reviewed by Steven J. Pearlman, MD

If you feel that your chin is too weak, chin augmentation with implants (mentoplasty) may be an option. This facial plastic surgery procedure may even help you succeed in life. It's true: studies seem to suggest that a weak chin can hold you back in your career.

A study of the profiles of 42 top CEOs on the Fortune 500 list showed that 94 percent of them had chins that were either average or above average in prominence, compared to the general population.

Chin implants can also help strengthen the appearance of a receding chin and restore balance to your face. If you have used soft tissue fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane to create a stronger chin line, and were happy with how it looked, chin implants offer a permanent solution.

Not everyone is a candidate for chin augmentation with implants. For starters, your jaw and teeth must be in good shape and function properly. You must also have a healthy immune system, as this reduces your risk of developing a post-surgical infection.

Discuss your goals with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon. He or she will examine your facial structure to determine if you are a suitable candidate for chin augmentation or if your objectives could be best met with another facial procedure. To aid in your decision, some surgeons use 3D computer imaging programs to show you how you will look after your chin augmentation surgery.

Chin Augmentation Procedure

Chin augmentation with an implant takes about 30 minutes and is usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning that you get to go home the same day (assuming there are no complications). The procedure will take longer if additional procedures are being performed simultaneously. Chin implant surgery is sometimes done at the same time as other facial surgery procedures such as facelift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).

Chin augmentation may require local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. These decisions are made beforehand during your consultation and preoperative visits with your surgeon. There will be specific instructions about what not to eat or drink immediately before surgery, which will depend on the type of anesthesia that is chosen.

Your surgeon should also let you know what medications are — or are not — OK before or after your chin augmentation. Certain over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications may increase the risks of the surgery. Make sure to tell your doctor about everything and anything that you take on a regular basis, including herbal supplements.

Chin implants come in many shapes and sizes, and are mainly composed of a soft, rubbery, flexible material such as solid silicone that is inserted through a small incision under your chin. In general, chin implants are placed over the existing bone structure of your lower jaw. The chin implant is then slipped into a well-fitting pocket and possibly attached to bone or soft tissue, depending on your surgeon's technique.

Sometimes, the surgeon will cut a piece of bone from your lower jaw, move it forward and reattach it. This is called sliding genioplasty, or "chin advancement," and can also make your chin longer or shorten it vertically. The incision for a sliding genioplasty is made within the lip.

Chin Implant Surgery Risks

Chin implant surgery is considered relatively safe, but complications may occur in a very small percentage of individuals. Risks may include:

• Hematoma (collection of blood beneath the skin)
• Temporary numbness
• Pain
• Tingling
• Facial asymmetry
• Infection (Your surgeon may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection.)
• Chin implant displacement/extrusion
• Bone erosion

Chin augmentation recovery time varies based on whether the implant procedure was performed alone or with other facial rejuvenation procedures. Expect some initial mild to moderate discomfort that can be well controlled with approved painkillers.

Your chin area may feel tight from the increased volume from the implant and your body's natural swelling response. Your surgeon may apply tape to hold the implant in place and control swelling after surgery. That said, you should be up and about after the first day, and the swelling and bruising should abate within two weeks.

Eating can be a challenge after chin augmentation if the incision was done in your mouth. You will likely need to consume bland, soft foods in the days after your chin surgery. Your surgeon may recommend you rinse with salt water, mouth wash or prescription mouthwash following chin surgery. Also, make sure you get clearance from your doctor before participating in contact sports after chin augmentation. Following your surgeon's advice can help reduce the likelihood that your implant will shift during your recovery.

There will be no visible scarring if the chin implant is placed via an incision in your mouth. There may be a very small scar if the implant is placed through an incision under your chin. Your new chin should be fully apparent in about three or four weeks.

Choosing a Chin Implant Surgeon

Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon with extensive chin augmentation experience. Ask to see before-and-after photos of others who have had chin implants. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully to maximize your results and minimize your risk of complications.

Chin Implant Cost

Chin plastic surgery cost comprises the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, operating room fee and implant fee. The national average for plastic surgeon fees for chin implantation was $2,269 in 2009, according to recent statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Chin implants are typically considered cosmetic, so insurance companies rarely foot the bill. However, if the implant procedure is reconstructive, the costs may be covered. Check with your insurance provider before booking the procedure. If the cost of the chin augmentation procedure is too high, ask about payment plans and medical finance options.

About the Reviewer of this Article

Steven Pearlman, MD, FACS, practices in New York City and is board certified in both Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and in Head and Neck Surgery. He is a past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2004-2005). He is director of the Division of Facial Plastic Surgery-St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, an attending surgeon at Lenox Hill and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospitals, and a clinical associate professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Pearlman is also founding president of the New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society, which promotes advanced education for facial plastic surgeons in the New York area. He is a graduate of Brandeis University and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, where he also completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital.

 

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(Updated on 01/31/2012)
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