CHIN IMPLANT

What is chin implant surgery?

Chin contour is considered among your most noticeable facial features. Some individuals may be unhappy with how they look as a result of congenital defects, while others are simply dissatisfied with their appearance. Chin implants can help achieve a proportional size or balanced shape to the chin.

 

Chin Implants:

Chin implants are made of soft, solid silicone that are designed to augment the projection of the chin bone. Chin implants improve or accentuate the appearance by providing balance or enhancing your natural contours.

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In general, good candidates for a chin implant include:

• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing

• Non-smokers

• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations

• Individual with normal dental occlusion.

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What it won't do:

Chin implant surgery will not change your dental occlusion (the way your teeth fit together).  If you have an ‘overbite’ or ‘underbite’, chin implant surgery will not change the relationship between your upper and lower teeth.  In these case, Dr. Smith may recommend an oral surgeon to assess your teeth and jaw before surgery.

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Non-surgical options:

In certain cases, chin augmentation can be performed with injected facial fillers.  Dr. Smith will advise you which option is best for you. 

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Consultation and Preparing for Surgery

During your consultation be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals

• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments

• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use

• Previous surgeries

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Dr. Smith will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors

• Discuss your chin implant options

• Examine and measure your face

• Take photographs

• Recommend a course of treatment

• Discuss likely outcomes of a chin implant and any risks or potential complications

• Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used

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Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation

• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications

• Stop smoking

• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

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Special instructions you receive will cover:

• What to do on the night before and morning of surgery

• The use of anesthesia during your chin implant

• Post-operative care and follow-up

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A chin implant may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility,  licensed ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Be sure to ask Dr. Smith questions. It's very important to understand all aspects of your surgery. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Smith.

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The Procedure

Step 1 - Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Smith will recommend the best choice for you.

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Step 2 - The incision and pocket formation

The procedure is usually performed through a small incision on the inside of the mouth or along the underside of the chin. You should discuss the benefits of each type of incision with your physician. This animation demonstrates the incision beneath the chin, which is also known as a submental incision. To begin the procedure, your physician will make an incision along a pre-marked line. Then, with the aid of an electrocautery device or other surgical instruments, your physician carefully creates a pocket below the muscle layer, just above your jawbone.

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Step 3 – Chin implant placement

Chin implants are pliable, which allows them to be inserted through a small opening. Your physician will insert and carefully position a sterile implant, ensuring a tension-free fit inside the pocket. With the implant in place, your physician will verify that it looks natural and balanced, making any necessary adjustments.

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Step 4 - Closing the incision

Once satisfied, your physician will close the pocket and skin incision with sutures. Small bandages in combination with a compression bandage may be applied to provide comfort and support.

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Step 5 - See the results

The visible improvements of a chin implant appear as swelling and bruising subside.  Your final result should provide a more balanced appearance to your face.

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Risks and Safety

The decision to have a chin implant is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

The risks include:

• Anesthesia risks

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Poor wound healing and skin loss

• Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incisions

• Fluid accumulation

• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation

• Persistent pain

• Unfavorable scarring

• Prolonged swelling

• Unsatisfactory results may include: asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions. (It may be necessary to perform an additional surgery to improve your results)

• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

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These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. Smith.

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Recovery After Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, you will likely experience some pain, swelling, and bruising after surgery, which will decrease over the course of several days. If non-dissolving sutures were used for an incision beneath your chin, they will usually be removed within seven to ten days. While you may feel well enough to return to work and normal activities in approximately a week, you should avoid any strenuous physical activity for approximately three to four weeks.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with Dr. Smith.

Be sure to ask Dr. Smith specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?

• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?

• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?

• When will they be removed?

• Are stitches removed? When?

• When can I wear make-up?

• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?

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Results

You will notice results from facial implant procedures immediately. Swelling after the procedure may cause the skin to appear shiny at first, but it will subside within a couple of weeks, and the skin will regain its normal appearance. As the swelling subsides, the area that received the implant will soften and will look even more natural. Scars are hidden in creases or in areas where they are difficult to detect, and they will fade considerably over time, making them almost imperceptible. With chin implants, you can achieve the shape, definition, and contours of the chin area.

Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

 

Following Dr. Smith’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It's important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Dr. Smith will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

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Cost

Prices for chin implant procedures can vary. The cost will be based on the type of procedure required to address your specific needs.  Dr. Smith does offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
 

You will be charged one fee and this will include:

• Anesthesia fees

• Hospital or surgical facility costs

• Medical tests (if required)

• Post-surgery garments (if required)

• Surgeon's fee

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Dr. Smith

Your satisfaction involves more than a fee.  When choosing a plastic surgeon for chin implant, remember that the surgeon's experience and your comfort with him or her is just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

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Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a Plastic Surgeon you can trust. Plastic Surgeons such as Dr. Smith, certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada meet rigorous standards:

• Board certification by Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®

• Completed five years of surgical training following medical school

• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams

• Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety

• Perform surgery in accredited hospitals and surgical facilities

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Following Dr. Smith’s Plastic Surgery residency, he completed an extra year of training, completing two additional clinical Fellowships to further his expertise in the field of Plastic Surgery. Please see his biography for more details.

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Do not be confused by other official sounding boards and certifications.  Be sure to choose a highly trained plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

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This procedural information is intended strictly for educational purposes. Only models are depicted in these procedural information pages. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough, in-person consultation with Dr. Smith.