4 Reasons to Consider Chin Augmentation

Chin augmentation, also known as genioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reconfigures the contours of your chin, neck, and jawline. Generally, the surgeon places an implant around your existing chin bone to augment the chin’s size and shape, which helps create a more naturally attractive balance between facial features.

Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Michael Nichols at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood offers chin augmentation to our patients looking for a more defined and proportional facial appearance. Here, he presents four reasons why you might consider chin augmentation.

Goals of chin augmentation

The chief goal of chin augmentation is to restore facial harmony, and interestingly, one of the primary reasons people get a genioplasty is due to the size of their nose. 

Small chins make large noses appear even larger, and large chins make a small nose look even smaller. That’s one of the main reasons chin implants and rhinoplasty (“nose job”) are often performed together. In fact, chin augmentation is also often done at the same time as a facelift or a neck lift, too, because the combination of procedures restores balance.

4 reasons to consider chin augmentation

Specifically, chin augmentation can:

1. Bring your chin into better proportion with other features
2. Correct a weak chin
3. Improve definition of the jawline and neck
4. Help reduce the appearance of submental fat (double chin) caused by a small chin bone

Chin augmentation can enhance your appearance so what you see in the mirror is closer to your aesthetic goals.

What can I expect during the chin augmentation procedure?

Chin augmentation may be accomplished either by repositioning the bone to a more forward position or by using an implant, a small, solid device made from a biocompatible material (usually silicone) and molded to fit around your chin bone. Dr. Nichols helps you choose an implant that achieves your desired degree of enhancement and provides the most natural-looking result.

He performs the surgery as an outpatient procedure, using general anesthesia or a local anesthetic with sedation. Dr. Nichols makes a small incision either underneath your chin or inside your mouth and clears the space in front of the chin bone to make room for the implant. Next, he inserts the implant in front of the bone and secures it. Finally, he sutures the incision and places a bandage over the area.

Chin augmentation by itself generally takes less than an hour to perform; however, if you’ve chosen to combine the surgery with a rhinoplasty, facelift, or any other procedure, the time involved will, of course, increase.

What is recovery like, and when will I see results?

Compared to many other plastic surgeries, chin augmentations don’t require a lot of down time, and most of our patients return to office-type work within about a week, and to strenuous activity 3-4 weeks following the procedure. Generally, you should have only minimal discomfort during this time, which can be controlled with OTC pain relievers and cold compresses.

There are some post-op requirements: you need to sleep face-up with your head elevated for at least 1-2 weeks weeks after surgery to help control swelling and allow the incisions to heal properly. Dr. Nichols may also require you to be on a liquid-only diet for a day or two after surgery so as not to jar the implant with chewing.

You’ll be able to see results that are almost-final within about a month after surgery, and the final results after about three months, when residual swelling has subsided.

If you don’t think your chin “works” with your other facial features, especially if it appears weak, a chin augmentation may be just what the doctor ordered. Contact Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi by calling 601-282-9290 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nichols today.