The chin is an important component of the overall facial profile. A large or small chin may create a proportional imbalance with other facial structures such as the neck, lips, nose and forehead. A chin that is too large in the horizontal, vertical or transverse dimension can be reduced, and the chin that is too small in the same dimensions can be augmented. These chin surgical procedures can be done alone or in concert with other cosmetic surgical procedures. Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is required.
A patient's chin may be reduced in size through a mouth incision made behind the lower lip. Surgeons then do bone reduction (genioplasty) with power bone instruments. Following surgery, patients must wear a chin dressing and eat soft foods for two to three weeks. Patients will experience a brief period of lower-lip swelling, discoloration, and a numbness or tingling sensation.
It is more common for patients to seek chin augmentation. This is accomplished by advancing the chinbone or placing an onlay of artificial implant material. The type and complexity of this procedure is dictated by the degree of chin deformity and the patient's treatment goals.
If the patient needs an artificial implant for a minor horizontal or transverse deficiency, surgeons create a pocket by making an incision in the mouth or chin skin. Then, an appropriately sized implant is placed. Following surgery, patients must wear a firm chin dressing and eat soft foods for two to three weeks. Patients will experience a brief period of lower-lip swelling, discoloration, and a numbness or tingling sensation.
Patients with major chin deficiency will require bone surgery (osteotomy) in which the bone of the chin is moved forward following various oblique bone incisions. Using power bone instruments, surgeons perform the procedure through a mouth incision made behind the lower lip. General anesthesia is frequently required. Patients must follow a soft diet for two to three weeks, and the lower-lip swelling, discoloration, and altered lip sensation may last longer than previously described.
The cosmetic chin procedures are safe and offer good results. Surgical complications are minor and uncommon. Wound infection is rare. However, if it occurs, a patient may have to have the artificial chin implant or internal metal devices removed. It is also possible to experience permanent altered sensation of the chin.
Aesthetic procedures of the chin may be combined with orthognathic surgical procedures in which the teeth and jaws are simultaneously repositioned to achieve facial balance. Additional cosmetic procedures such as face-lift or rhinoplasty also may be combined with the chin surgery.
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