Chin augmentation

Chin augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to increase the prominence of the chin. Although this operation is usually done for cosmetic reasons, to attain more ideal facial contours, it is also performed for the reconstruction of the face because of a birth defect or trauma.

The chin is one of the more important features in the human face, because the shape of the mid-area of the lower face so strongly influences the overall appearance of both the face and neck. Like the nose, and the rest of the jaw, the chin is one of the features in people that shows sexual dimorphism. That term means that two different forms exist according to gender, male and female, and the proportions of the chin do differ in women and men.

The surgical procedures to change the form of the chin are called mentoplasty, and include more than simple augmentation. Some mentoplasty procedures result in reduction of the chin, and others in lengthening or otherwise changing proportions by making cuts in the bone of the jaw and moving the pieces into a desired placement to make a new shape.

Augmentation of the chin can be brought about by the placement of a synthetic material or tissue graft under the soft tisues of the chin, by making the bone cuts called mandiblar osteotomies and advancing them forward to create more chin projection, or by some combination of procedures, like using both osteotomies and implants.

Evaluation of the chin

Would a particular face benefit in appearance from chin augmentation? Answering that question requires assessing the area of the chin in relation to the lips, teeth, nose, jaw and neck in all three planes: vertical, horizontal, and transverse. A receding chin is deficient in a horizontal plane, but may actually be excessive (very tall) in a vertical plane. In complex cases like that, a good result may require both a vertical reduction and a horizontal augmentation.

Types of chin augmentation procedures

Synthetic

Synthetic implants are commercially available to surgeons in a limited array of various shapes and sizes. They are made out of both solid and semi-solid materials.

Most often, an incision is made inside the lower lip, or under the chin. An implant of the desired size and shape is then placed inside the chin. If the incision is inside the mouth, it is closed with sutures (stitches) that later dissolve. If the incision is under the chin, removable sutures are used. At the end of the surgery, the chin is often taped to minimize swelling. The procedure generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Swelling and bruising can occur, and can be limited by an application of tape and post-operative icing. Pain and discomfort last for several days following the procedure, but this can be eased by an oral analgesic. Since implants are placed under muscle, some facial movements, such as talking and smiling, are affected for several days following the surgery.

Performed in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery

Although a change in the dimensions of the chin can markedly alter the appearance for the better in many people, it is only rarely that patients consult cosmetic surgeons to request a change in that particular feature."More commonly, requests focus on seemingly more obvious problems, such as reduction of a large nose or correction of sagging skin of the neck and jowls"(reference for quote:Jonathan M. Sykes,Travis T. Tollefson, John L. Frodel Jr.:Chapter 34 – MENTOPLASTY AND FACIAL IMPLANTS Chapter in Cummings: Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 4th ed., Copyright © 2005 Mosby, Inc.)

Face lift

When there is excessive lax soft tissue of the lower face from aging or other factors, the chin can be affected. The soft tissues of the chin can sag below the level of the bony jaw.