A well-defined chin may not be your first aesthetic concern, but perhaps it should be. A receding chin can make the nose and upper teeth appear more prominent and make the neck appear shorter. Chin augmentation surgery is, a relatively simple procedure, can lengthen the chin, balancing the cheeks and nose and elongating the appearance of the neck.

The implants are composed of a safe, non-reactive, and permanent material that promotes attachment to the surrounding soft tissue. This material comes in custom shapes and sizes to suit your individual needs and can be easily removed or changed at a later date, if so desired.

After carefully discussing your goals and expectations, your surgeon can recommend the appropriate course of action for you. Chin augmentation is often performed in combination with rhinoplasty surgery.

The procedure is performed in our offices, usually on an outpatient basis. Chin augmentation is typically performed with local anesthesia and sedation. With local anesthesia you'll be awake during the procedure but anesthetized and relaxed. The surgery takes from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure.

Preparation

Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet before surgery. A healthy diet will help speed recovery. Also plan ahead and prepare nutritious meals that are easy to warm up so that you won't need to spend too much time in the kitchen during your recovery.

If you smoke, abstain from smoking for at least six weeks before and after surgery. This reduces the risk of infection and encourages faster healing.

Do not take any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen during the two weeks preceding surgery.

Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.

Be certain you do not have a cold or sunburn the day of surgery.

Do not wear make-up or contact lenses to surgery.

Arrange to have someone take you home after surgery and, if possible, help you around the house for a few days while you recover

The Procedure

The surgeon makes an incision inside the mouth between the lower lip and gums. Then he/she creates a small pocket over the chin.

The implant is inserted through the incision and slid into place.

The incision is closed with sutures and a compression bandage is applied.

What to expect after surgery

After the procedure is over, patients may experience some numbness and mild swelling and/or discomfort at the incision site. This is normal and will pass with time. Incision site pain is usually minimal and can be controlled with medication, if necessary. Swelling can be treated with cold compresses. If you experience severe pain, contact our office immediately.

Within two days you should be up and about, although you should continue to take it easy. Patients will need to wear the compression bandages for several days to keep implants firmly in place. As the tissue heals, new supportive tissue forms around the implant. After a few weeks, you won't be able to tell the difference between the implant and your natural bone structure.

Do not brush your teeth until the incisions heal. Avoid chewing by eating only very soft foods and liquids. You may resume regular activity within a week. Swelling diminishes within two weeks and new facial contours emerge within four to six weeks.

Risks

As with any surgery there is the risk of complication. Possible complications include nerve damage (usually temporary), infection, bleeding, and reactions to the anesthesia. If implants should slip out of place, another surgery is necessary to reposition implants. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following instructions both before and after surgery