Nerve Damage After Chin Implant?

asked 3 years ago by Tigerfan7777 in Baton Rouge, LA
Latest answer by Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Question viewed 1,827 times

I am scheduled to have a chin implant soon. I have done some research and believe my surgeon is highly qualified, but I would still like to hear a response from a third party.

Is there a risk of noticeable nerve damage from this procedure, given that the doctor will be inserting the implant from the outside, underneath the chin? How common is it for such undesirable complications to occur with chin implants? If I felt that some part of my face were damaged to the point where I could not smile or some other similar complication was possible, then I might decide not to have an implant.

5 answers to Nerve Damage After Chin Implant?

You must be comfortable with the risks and possibilities

Before you undergo any surgical procedure, you should be comfortable that the possibility of unusual and even serious complications is something you could accept and tolerate. You seem most concerned that a nerve could be injured that would produce visible facial signs. I do not have statistics for you, but that would be quite rare. The nerves that control movement in the face branch through the deep tissues and muscles entering from the sides of your face. Chin implant surgery usually... more

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Chin Implant and possible nerve damage

A chin implant is placed under the skin right on top of the bone. A space is made so the implant can fit. There are nerves on either side of the space that could be stretched producing temporary numbness of your lip and chin. It is very rare that the nerves do not recover, or they are cut, producing permanent numbness - you still could move everything normally. It is common, however, to have some swelling that causes the lower lip to move less than normal temporarily... more

Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Chin implant and possible nerve damage

The only nerve damage that could potentially occur and that could be permanent would be to a sensory nerve called the mental nerve in the chin area. If this were stretched or cut, it could lead to some numbness on the lower lip on the side that is affected, but it should not affect movement. The chance of a mental nerve complication is less than 1%. The best place for the chin implant to be performed is underneath the chin and not through the mouth.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Options in chin augmentation and nerve injury - choosing a surgeon

The risk of nerve injury to the mental nerve is slight with chin augmentation. Discuss these concerns with your surgeon, who will evaluate your particular risks and anatomy and guide you through the process. Nerve damage is a very low risk, but can still theoretically occur.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Risk of chin implant

Complications of chin implant surgery is rare (about 1%) but can include lip numbness, lip weakness, infection, bleeding, and asymmetry. The larger the implant used the greater the risk.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

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