Surgery » Chin implants

What is a chin augmentation?

Chin augmentation is a procedure performed to reshape and enlarge the chin. A chin implant may be recommended to patients having a rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) in order to achieve facial proportion. The size of the chin can magnify or minimize the perceived size of the nose and help balance facial features.

Who is a good candidate?

Someone concerned with any of the following characteristics

• Imbalance in facial features
• Prominent nose
• Inadequate chin projection

Who is not a good candidate?

• Anyone with unrealistic expectations
• Anyone with significant facial skeletal abnormalities
• Anyone with major lower jawline deficiencies and asymmetries
• Anyone needeing major orthodontic work

The procedure

Chin augmentation may be done under general anaesthesia (completely asleep) or with twilight sedation and local anaesthesia. Chin augmentation is generally done as a day procedure. The incision is usually placed in the natural crease under the chin or inside the mouth. The incision heals very well and scarring is rarely a problem. A small space is created immediately over the chin bone and an anatomically shaped silastic implant is inserted. Fine sutures are used to close the incision.

How long will I need off work?

Approximately 1 week.

The recovery

A soft diet is recommended for a few days post operatively. A stretched, tight sensation is not uncommon and will also settle quickly. Normal activity, except for contact sport, can be resumed 7-10 days after the procedure. Some swelling may persist for up to 6 weeks. Skin coloured tape to help minimise swelling is used over the area for approximately 3-6 days. Sutures are removed 6 days post operatively.

Please note: Aspirin, Nurofen, Vitamin E (in fact all vitamins/supplements/herbal preparations) and blood thinning medications tend to significantly increase bruising and should not be taken for two weeks prior to and one week after facial plastic surgery.

Incision

Dr. Oates usually does a chin implant via a small incision under the chin; it heals up very well. Most people already have a scar there from childhood trauma. It is possible to place the implant via an incision in the mouth but there is a slightly higher rate of complications (malposition or changing the shape of the lower lip).

Infection

Any foreign body placed in the body is at risk of infection. The highest risk is at the time of placement. The implant is soaked in antibiotics and antibiotics are given at the time of surgery via a drip. After surgery oral antibiotics are taken for about 5 days. Overall the risk of infection is low.

Position

The implant sits on the lower part of the chin bone, so the existing shape of the chin is the foundation and results with an implant can be limited because of this. Over time an implant can change shape due to excessive scar formation, however this is quite rare.

Numbness

There is a nerve that comes out of the lower jaw bone on either side that gives sensation to the lower lip and chin. When making a pocket for the implant it is possible for these nerves to be stretched. Numbness is an uncommon side effect when doing a chin implant and any numbness should resolve, however there is a possibility that some numbness can be permanent.

Options

It is possible for the jaw bone to be cut and planted (screwed) into a more aesthetic position. If the lower teeth need re-positioning then this is often a better alternative, however it requires Orthodontics (braces). Chin implantation is a less traumatic compromise in this situation.