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Cosmetic Chin Surgery - What Are my Options?

asked 3 years ago by allichin in new york, ny
Latest answer by Andrew Miller, MD
Question viewed 4,316 times
Tags: female, balanced, options, plastic surgery, Virtual consultation

I had Rhinoplasty last year, but the doctor recommended that I get a chin implant as well.  I opted not to. I do love the outcome of my new nose, but I am now considering chin augmentation to help balance out my face. I have seen the profile computer image, but I am having a hard time understanding how I will look from the front, and when I smile and my facial expressions. Also, I am trying to decide between the implant or sliding genioplasty (since I don't love the idea of an implant being in my body. Any thoughts?

19 answers to Cosmetic Chin Surgery - What Are my Options?

+5

Chin Implants are generally quite effective.

While options for chin augmentation are numerous, the chin implant is generally the better option than genioplasty especially if the goal is to provide better projection and definition.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Chin Augmentation: Implant vs. Sliding Genioplasty

Chin implants and sliding genioplasty are both excellent options for changing the shape of the chin. There are a few things I would like to share about my own personal experience with chin implants. First of all, one of the advantages is that the surgery can be easily and comfortably done under local anesthesia (we typically give light sedation for comfort). Another key thing to keep in mind is that the implant can be removed or changed just as easily if we don't like the change in... more
Umang Mehta, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Considering a chin implant? Try fillers as a non-surgical option.

Chin augmentation can be a powerful procedure that really improves your look. Having a strong chin is like having nice breasts, almost anyone can benefit from having a little boost. And in some of us, we really need a little more chin. The computer imaging program is a great way to see the possible effects on profile, but you are correct, it's not so great at predicting the changes on frontal view. A nice solution is to try fillers. The fillers are placed in... more
David Mabrie, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Chin implant or sliding genioplasty

Chin augmentation can be done any of a number of ways. The timing should not be an issue for you--it can be done after or before a rhinoplasty. As you mention, it is often done at the time of rhinoplasty. The advantages of an implant are that it probably is a lower risk operation, and can be done under local anesthesia. The implant augmentation is somewhat predictable. The downside is that it does not reduce the vertical chin height (as is desirable in some cases). It can increase chin... more
Sam Most, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin augmentation is an excellent procedure...

Chin augmentation is an excellent way to balance your facial features. It is an easy procedure that can be done under local anesthesia, while a sliding genioplasty is more involved and slightly more risky. The chin implant should only minimally change your front view unless you are trying to lengthen the vertical height of the chin, which the genioplasty can do a little more effectively. Niether procedure should affect your facial motion. Most people simply need more... more
Andrew Miller, MD

Edison Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin surgery considerations

There are several options for improving your chin projection. Temporary fillers would allow you to test the look out. Computer imaging would allow you and your surgeon to get an accurate idea of what result to plan for. The frontal view doesn't change much after a chin augmentation, especially when done conservatively. You may notice a little more fullness to the area on either side of the chin itself (prejowl area). Patients with an under-developed chin often have some... more
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin Augmentation

Chin augmentation often complements rhinoplasty.  When both procedures are necessary, performing one without the other may result in facial disharmony.  The options for chin augmentation include (1) sliding osseous genioplasty in which the bony chin is osteotomized (cut) and advanced/repositioned, and (2) the use of a chin implant. Plastic surgeons trained as craniofacial surgeons are most comfortable performing the sliding genioplasty as it is a relatively simple procedure... more
Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin augmentation is an overdone operation.

I think if you like the result of the video imaging you will like the operation.  The front view does not change much in vido imaging as well as real life.  I see too many patients, particularly women, who have had a chin implant which masculinizes the face.  I think video imaging is the best way to inform the patient.  The procedure, itself, is simple.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin Implant Vs Sliding Genioplasty

Most commonly, a chin implant is the preferred treatment of choice in treating the underprojected chin.  A chin implant is well tolerated, biologically compatible implant which can safely and effectively balance out a chin.  While there are specific instances when a sliding genioplasty is clearly the better modality (long underprojected chins), most of the time the invasiveness of the procedure is not justified.  Sliding genioplasty breaks a segment of bone from your chin... more
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Optimum choice in chin implant surgery.

For majority of patients chin augmentation using an implant is an ideal choice.  For a select few patients, based on their specific anatomic variation, sliding genioplasty should be performed.  Only a well educated and experienced surgeon will be able to guide you towards your best option. A well planned and executed chin implant augmentation typically produces a beautiful and natural result with excellent longevity.
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin implant's can enhance your profile and are much easier to recover from compared to a genioplasty

Chin implant's can enhance your profile and are much easier to recover from compared to a genioplasty.  A sliding genioplasty involves cutting through your chin bone and advancing it.  This can lead to issues such as longer recovery, nerve injury chances are increased, step off deformities can occur, there is much more pain with it, and the advanced bone segment can loss volume. It is harder to demonstrate the changes from the frontal view.  It requires your doctor... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin implant is a safe and effective option

A chin implant is an excellent option.  This is a relatively straight forward procedure that has a low complication rate and excellent results.  A sliding genioplasty is much more invasive with greater complications.  The profile will have dramatic changes.  If you use an implant that is too large, it can give you the appearance of having a "chin strap" on your chin.  Consult with the surgeon who performed your rhinoplasty for his opinion. more
Gregory Pippin, MD

New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin surgery options

The most common option for chin surgery is a chin implant. This is safer and less destructive than a sliding genioplasty which involves cutting your lower jaw bone.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin implant and augmentation options for genioplasty surgery

The options for chin augmentation are numerous and include the use of non-surgical techniques with injectable fillers. More commonly, the implants are favored. However, some surgeons feel strongly about using your own tissue and bone. Clearly, these demonstrate a progressively aggressive approach and each surgery must be tailored to the individual patients needs. If you are not sure, you could try fillers to "try out" the look of a larger chin. Implants can be removed and are in a... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Improve your profile with a chin implant

Chin implant can be done at any time; at the time of rhinoplasty or after. Looking at your photo it is unquestioned that your profile would improve, i.e. would be better balanced, by having a more projecting chin. This can be done thru an intraoral (Iinside the mouth) or external (under the chin) incision. Statistics show that plastic surgeons use the external approach 2:1 but the ultimate results are similar. My personal preference is external. I think the small risk of infection is almost... more
Andrew Pichler, MD

Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin Implant vs Sliding Genioplasty

I would almost always choose a chin implant over sliding genioplasty. Chin implant is a lot easier to do, a lot quicker and a lot less likely to cause problems down the road. Genioplasty will weaken your jaw bone, chin implant will not. If you don't like the chin implant it can be removed easily. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin Implant

Alli in NY- Thanks for the photo...you look great after your surgery. I agree that a chin augmentation would balance out your profile. I also agree with my colleagues who have also posted here, that a conservative implant will improve your side profile and will not significant affect your frontal view nor your smile. I typically place these through an incision inside the mouth so there is no scar on the undersurface of the chin. Sliding genioplasty is a bit more complicated and risky. Talk... more
John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin Implants Are Much More Predictable

Silastic chin implants in experienced hands are much safer and more predictable than sliding genioplasty. Make sure the surgeon is conservative and does not attempt to create too sharp a profile as might be demonstrated on the imaged picture you were holding.; I think you would do well with either a #1 or #2 Extended anatomic implant. Avoid all materials other than silastic which has the best track record in this area and is certainly the gold standard. Your smile should not be affected... more
S. Randolph Waldman, MD

Lexington Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Chin implant

A chin implant will mainly enhance the profile of your face, which is what you need. The chin implant will not affect much of the AP view. Chin implants are simple and easy to use. Sliding genioplasty is more complicated and you will still have an implant (the plate and screws used to hold the bone segments together). Good luck!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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