Chin implant surgery, also called chin augmentation surgery or genioplasty, improves contours of the chin, neck, and jawline. Typically, surgery involves placement of an implant around a patient’s existing chin bone to augment the size and shape of the chin and achieve a more naturally attractive balance between facial features. The chin defines the character of the face and, perhaps, the person; a long chin has been associated with strength and power, whereas a short chin portrays weakness. The chin has a prominent role in establishing facial symmetry and aesthetics. With the nose, it can determine facial balance, especially through its relationship to the face in profile.
What are Chin Implants made of?
Typically, chin implants are made from either gore tex, silastic (solid silicone) or medpor. Silicone chin implants are currently the most commonly used as they are very effective and safe. Ultimately the type of chin implant used depends on the surgeon’s preference, patient’s medical history, and desired results.
Why go for Chin Augmentation Surgery?
Chin augmentation procedures, which are popular with both men and women, are done to make the chin look more proportionate in relation to the rest of the face. A weak or receding chin can make the nose look bigger than it really is, therefore a stronger chin and jawline could be used to compensate for that.
A receding chin also makes the boundary between the neck and the chin seem less clear-cut, so the client’s neck often looks thicker and fleshier, so chin augmentation can make the neck look thinner. It can also give the client a stronger and more defined jawline and make jowls less prominent, especially in an older patient.
While chin augmentation is usually cosmetic, it can also be part of reconstructive surgery. Patients who have suffered a serious injury to their face may be candidates for chin augmentation. When performed by a qualified, experienced cosmetic surgeon, chin enhancement can provide a permanent solution to improve a weak or recessed chin.
The Procedure of Chin Implant Surgery
Choose Your Surgeon Wisely
The success of your chin augmentation surgery depends on the skill and expertise of the surgeon performing it. It’s wise to meet with a few different surgeons to get a feel for their background and how they would approach your surgery. Don’t forget to peruse each surgeon’s before-and-after patient photo gallery for examples of their work.
Preoperative Procedure of Chin Implant Surgery
A cosmetic chin enlargement procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis at the surgeon's facility but may be performed at a hospital. The length of time the procedure takes depends on several factors but is usually from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Depending on the surgeon's and the patient's preference, local or general anaesthesia may be used.
The Surgical Procedure
Depending on the preference of the patient and surgeon, chin implant surgery can be performed with general, local, or twilight anaesthesia. A small incision is made either underneath the chin or inside the mouth. Through this incision, the cosmetic surgeon creates space for the chin implant and fits it around the chin bone. Chin implant surgery alone typically takes less than 1 hour to perform; however, if you are having additional procedures, operating time will increase accordingly. Following surgery, the incision is closed with sutures and the chin may be bandaged.
Recessive chin enlargement surgery uses chin implants to supplement the existing bone at the front of the jaw beneath the teeth. The artificial implant sits under the skin and gives a permanent boost to the strength and definition of the chin. This augmentation method can give patients a pleasing, well-proportioned look that seems completely natural.
The incisions created during the operation are made underneath the chin or inside of the mouth between the gum and lower lip. Incisions created in the mouth are more likely to introduce bacteria into the body but result in no visible scarring. Once the incisions are made, the chin implant is inserted and positioned in front of the jawbone. The surgeon then checks its appearance for proper balance with other facial features and may adjust or modify the implant to ensure the proper look is achieved. Once this is done, the chin implant is sutured into place, and the procedure is complete. Sutures inside the mouth will dissolve after about 10 days. Sutures outside the mouth are removed after approximately the same period.
Post-Surgery recovery and care
How much time should the patient take off from work?
For any facial plastic surgery procedure, it’s usually a good idea to take about two weeks off from work. This is ample time for you to recover from the immediate and most visible surgical side effects. By the end of two weeks, you should be able to return to your job without anyone noticing bruising, swelling, and so forth.
Keep in mind that upon returning to your job, you may need to modify or avoid certain duties until your surgeon advises otherwise. This is particularly common in patients who work in physically demanding fields
Activities to Avoid After Surgery
After a chin augmentation surgery, be sure to avoid the following activities until your surgeon gives you the go ahead:
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Smoking and use of tobacco products
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Consuming alcoholic beverages
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Use of blood-thinning medications
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Heavy lifting or strenuous exercise
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Using hot tubs and saunas
Post-Surgical Pain and Discomfort
Pains of the lower face are both common side effects after a chin augmentation has been performed. The discomfort will subside over the next week, with improvements experienced each day. Soreness can be managed using prescription painkillers and over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. Applying cold compresses can help. You will also be given Arnica Montana supplements to speed up the recovery of the bruising.
The Risks, Complications and Side Effects of Chin Implants
Apart from the obvious risk of choosing an unskilled or inexperienced surgeon to insert a chin implant that the aesthetic result will not be a satisfactory one, there are several other serious medical complications and side effects to be aware of:
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Damage to the marginal mandibular nerve — leading to permanent loss of movement in the lower lip
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Damage to the mental nerve (a sensory nerve which provides sensation to the front of the chin and lower lip as well as the buccal gingiva of the mandibular anterior teeth and the premolars)
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An implant is placed in the superficial tissues — not under the periosteum (the dense layer of vascular connective tissue enveloping the bones) leading to implant movement under the skin
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The wrong sized chin implant is used resulting in a chin looks out of sync or inharmonious with other facial features
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Injury or damage to the teeth, gums, or surrounding nerves
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Permanent loss of sensation, and/or scarring.
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Slow healing, infection, or internal bleeding leading to the removal of the implant
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Inadvertent masculinization of the female chin
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Unsightly deepening of the labiomental crease (the deep groove underneath the lower lip)
Chin Implant Surgery in Hyderabad
The KIMS hospital Hyderabad is one of the finest cosmetic plastic surgery practices in the city attracts patients from throughout the state and India as well. Dr. Sharath Chandra Reddy and his team of plastic surgeons of KIMS hospital Hyderabad have decades of combined experience in all kinds of plastic and cosmetic surgery. Please fill out the form below to book your appointment now with Dr. Sharath and discuss your issue and understand the possible course of action.
