If you think your chin is too big or too small and doesn't "fit" with the rest of your face, you may be a candidate for chin surgery. Mentoplasty significantly improves overall facial harmony and restores confidence in one's appearance.
What is mentoplasty?
A chin correction or mentoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape the chin either by lifting it with an implant - augmentation mentoplasty - or by reducing the bone - reduction mentoplasty.
Why is it done?
Mentoplasty is designed to restore facial balance and provide a natural aesthetic facial appearance. A person's normal chin is in balance with their forehead and nose. Facial aesthetics require that each part be in harmony with the others.
What are the types of mentoplasty?
Reduction Mentoplasty
An overly large chin (macrogenia) takes away from the rest of the normal facial features. A large chin can give the impression that the nose is too small. In these cases, chin reduction is necessary to restore facial balance. This imbalance can have a major impact on the patient's psychological well-being and lead to low self-esteem and insecurity.
Before the operation
It is important to discuss carefully with your surgeon the goal you are aiming for. The surgery should achieve an aesthetically balanced chin and harmony with the mid and upper face. X-rays of the lower jaw or an orthopantomograph, as well as a teleradiograph, should be taken prior to surgery. A surgical plan is then proceeded with as each case is individual and approached carefully and purposefully. Chin reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours, depending on the complexity of the surgery.
How does the operation proceed?
The incision is made in the gum of the lower lip or under the chin. The skin is then separated from the chin bone and reshaping of the chin structure can begin. Excess bone and tissue is removed and the chin tip is repositioned. The tip is then fixed with screws and/or titanium plates. In the reduction mentoplasty, the middle bone fragment is removed and the lower part of the chin can be moved back, reducing its height at the same time. Once the chin is repositioned, the incision is closed and sutured. Incisions made under the chin leave minimal scarring, while incisions on the inside of the mouth remain completely hidden. During the preliminary consultation, you will discuss with your doctor which option is best for you.
After the chin reduction, an abutment is placed at the end of surgery to help control swelling and reduce movement. It must be worn around the clock for the first week.
Chin reduction results are permanent, but keep in mind that as you age, your chin will change over the years. For example, the tissues around the chin be affected by the aging process and by gravity.
Augmentation Mentoplasty
If you are bothered by a sunken or "weak" chin or feel that your facial features are out of proportion, chin implant surgery can help you feel more confident in your appearance. Specifically, chin augmentation can:
- to correct a weak or sunken chin
- improve neck and jaw contours
- to help avoid the appearance of a full or "double" chin
In augmentation mentoplasty there is a choice of mentoplasty by osteotomy, by using implants (silicone or medpor), lipofilling or filer, while in reduction mentoplasty the only option is surgical resection of part of the chin.
The augmentation mentoplasty plan
The plan for augmentation mentoplasty via osteotomy of the bone can vary depending on whether you want to extend the height or just shift the chin forward. A horizontal incision is made off the roots of the teeth (this is why it is important to have orthopantomography and be aware that there are no untreated tooth roots in this area). When the bone is cut, the nutrition of this bone block must be maintained, with the muscles captured to the lower chin remaining attached. The bone can then be pulled forward, upward or downward and fixed according to the plan for aesthetic chin reshaping. Fixation is done with screws and/or titanium plates as in reduction mentoplasty.
In cases in which we have chosen the augmentation method of mentoplasty using an implant, it must also be fixed to the bone due to the risk of dislocation.
In cases where we use lipofilling or fillers, only chin augmentation is possible, with results having limited effect and less durability with fillers and difficult to predict volume with lipofilling.
Chin implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
The operation usually takes about an hour.
After surgery, the incision is closed with sutures and the chin can be bandaged.
The sutures are single with rapid resorption and after the first day of surgery, mouth rinsing with antiseptic solutions is provided. Antibiotic prophylaxis is also used for a few days.
What does the chin implant look like?
Chin implants are small, rigid devices made of a biocompatible material, usually silicone, that is molded to fit the patient's chin bone. Chin implants vary in size and contour. Your surgeon will help you choose an implant that will achieve your desired degree of improvement and provide the most natural-looking result.
When placed, chin implants feel very similar to a natural chin bone and when the surgery is performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, it is usually impossible to tell that the patient has had a chin augmentation.
Recovery period
Menoplasty usually does not require hospitalization after surgery. Occasionally, the patient may remain in the clinic for 24 hours if absolute rest is indicated. Within 1-2 weeks after a mentoplasty, the patient wears a fixation bandage to hold the tissues in the desired position - this is removed once the tissues have completely healed. You may feel discomfort for the first three days. For the first 3 to 5 days, the patient may feel minor pain, for the removal of which the doctor may recommend painkillers. After a mentoplasty, the appearance of swelling is not ruled out, which usually disappears within 7 to 10 days. A week after surgery, the stitches are removed and you can return to work in 3-4 days. The recovery period largely depends on the type of surgery and the condition of the body.
Usually after the procedure (most often if an implant is used), physical activity is not recommended, especially on the chin. Avoid heavy lifting or strength exercises for a month after surgery. In addition, to avoid dislocation of the implant or bone, as well as severe pain, the patient is advised to exclude the load on the jaw and consume only liquid and soft food - purees, juices.
Despite all the inconveniences associated with the recovery period, the aesthetic result of the surgery will allow you to radically rethink your attitude towards yourself, increase your self-esteem and change the quality of your life.
Can the mentoplasty be done together with other corrections?
Mentoplasty is very often recommended to patients who wish to correct their nose - rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty + chin augmentation
Chin implants can dramatically improve rhinoplasty results. The goal is to achieve balance on all facial features.
Neck liposuction + chin implants
Patients with excess fat under the chin often choose to have chin liposuction at the same time as the implant surgery. While strengthening the chin will help improve the expression of the jawline, removing excess fat from under the chin can further enhance the appearance of the lower face and neck.
Risks and complications of surgery
- Pain - moderate discomfort is expected after surgery and can be managed with pain medication for 2-3 days. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Bruising - can last 2 weeks.
- Wound - a mild infection may occur, rarely, a serious infection requiring antibiotics.
- Very rarely, a hematoma (collection of blood) may occur, which may require drainage.
- Sensitivity - decreased sensitivity in the lower lip and chin may occur. Return to normal may take up to 6 weeks.
- Teeth - Very rarely, a tooth root injury can occur that will need dental treatment.
- Scars - all surgical operations leave scars and especially if a mentoplasty is performed through an external incision under the chin. This method is almost forgotten in modern plastic surgery.
- Changing the surgical approach during surgery - Sometimes during surgery, situations may arise that cannot be anticipated and may necessitate a change in the previously planned surgical approach. This may result in scarring other than expected.
The results you should aim for are primarily natural looking. The goals of chin correction surgery are to restore an aesthetically pleasing face shape - to make it look natural, not abnormal.
Choosing a facial cosmetic surgeon
One of the most important decisions you will make when considering a chin adjustment is who will perform your surgery. You should choose a surgeon who has extensive experience in facial cosmetic surgery.
When consulting with a surgeon, ask how many chin augmentation procedures he or she has performed and be sure to look at before and after photos of other patients. The results you see should look natural to each individual patient.
We, at ZIC "Medical Karadj" can assist you in choosing the best plastic surgeon for you! Contact our consultants for more information!
