Chin Reduction Surgery - What to Expect?

Chin reduction surgery is the antithesis of chin augmentation. It is harder to get a good result and the risk of complications is higher. Most of the time, a prominent chin is not just a bone problem but is also too much muscle and skin as well. Failure to treatment all tissues can result in chin dimpling and sagging afterwards. Most chin reductions are done from a submental or under the chin skin approach. This allows for bone burring as well as muscle and skin removal and tightening.... more

Chin reduction surgery is performed through a small incision under the chin in the groove just above the neck called the sub-mental crease. The skin and muscle are lifted and the bone is sculpted and made smaller with a polishing bur. The recovery takes usually 10 days, with residual swelling after. If the chin cleft was related to the chin bone shape, this can be changed with this surgery.

There are many different techniques to diminish the size of the chin, Depending on the techniques used, recovery recommendations may differ. In some instances the bone is burred down. In others the bone is cut and a wedge like section is removed requiring a plate and greater post-operative restrictions.