CHIN IMPLANT

Also called mentoplasty, chin implant surgery can enhance the lower face in a variety of ways. It can:

• Increase the chin’s size. "A chin implant can add vertical height, lateral (side) augmentation, projection, or it can be customized to add more laterally than centrally," says Dr. Mike Majmundar, a facial plastic surgeon in Alpharetta, Georgia.
• Improve the definition of the jawline.
• Enhance a weak chin (microgenia).
• Create better facial harmony and balance. 
• Reduce a double chin caused by a small chin bone (especially when combined with chin or neck liposuction, to remove excess fat).

Some patients opt to combine this procedure with rhinoplasty (a nose job) or jaw implants, reshaping their entire facial profile.

Pros

• RealSelf members give chin implant surgery an 90% Worth It Rating, and studies show that 85–90% of patients are satisfied with their results.
• Chin augmentation balances facial features, creates more jawline definition, and reduces a double chin.  
• The implant size and shape can be customized to your anatomy and desired result.
• This relatively quick outpatient surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia.
• Chin implant scars are usually unnoticeable, since the incision is hidden under the chin or in the mouth. 
• Results are considered permanent, though the implant can be easily removed if you ever decide you don't want it. 

Cons

• Some RealSelf members say they had more discomfort during recovery than they expected. 
• Patients may feel a tightness in their chin for about three weeks while their skin adjusts to the implant. 
• It can take up to three months to see your final results, due to swelling. Some female RealSelf members say their jawline looked masculine until the swelling subsided. 
• Possible side effects include infection, implant shifting, and (rarely) bone remodeling.

• Average Cost:
• $7,827

• Range:
• $3,000 - $21,000

The price you pay for a chin implant will depend on the type of implant used, your surgeon’s practice location and level of experience, and a few other key factors. 

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

See our complete guide to chin implant surgery costs

The chin implant photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Good candidates are nonsmokers in good health who want a stronger, more defined chin and jawline. 

“Patients whose chin profiles are weak but who have normally functioning jaws are good candidates for chin augmentation,” says Dr. Larry S. Nichter, a plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California. “Many of these candidates have already used injectable fillers in the past, to strengthen the protrusion of their chins, but are looking for a permanent solution.”

Related: Jawline Sculpting—Why It’s Not All About Filler

Your facial plastic surgeon will assess your facial skeletal and tissue structure at your initial consultation, evaluating not only the shape of your face but also your teeth, for aesthetic and medical reasons. They’ll also ensure that you’re not allergic to any components of the implant.

This procedure isn’t recommended for children under the age of 16 (they’re still growing, so their chin may change) or elderly patients with significant bone loss in the area.

When it’s done by an accredited, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, chin implant surgery is considered safe. 

That being said, any surgery carries risks such as hematoma, bruising, scarring, and side effects from anesthesia. 

A study from 2013 notes that the most common chin implant risks include infection, swelling, and implant migration (where the implant shifts), while a 2018 study warns of possible bone remodeling and resorption.

Your surgeon should explain these risks during your consultation.

Doctors on RealSelf confirm that there is no evidence of a link between chin implants and cancer.

This type of chin augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure that can take 30 minutes to an hour. 

It's usually performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation, though you may opt for general anesthesia if you're also having a complementary procedure, like rhinoplasty, that will prolong your surgery. 

Here's how it works:

• First, the surgeon makes a small incision under the chin or inside the mouth where the gum and lower lip meet or under the chin, so there will be no visible scar. 
• They gently stretch the skin to create a small pocket.  
• As the surgeon inserts the implant, they mold it around your chin bone and secure it in place.
• They will then suture the incision closed (likely with dissolvable stitches). 
• Finally, they will bandage the chin with a dressing that remains in place for two to three days.

The chin implant is placed while you're under anesthesia, so you won't feel any pain during the surgery itself. 

It's normal to have pain and soreness in the chin area for several days following a chin augmentation procedure. Your provider will prescribe pain medication to minimize discomfort during the first few days. They can also recommend over-the-counter options.

Swelling and soreness peak 72 hours after any surgical procedure, but the pain should start improving 4–5 days after the surgery.

If the pain persists or gets worse after that, alert your doctor. It could be a sign of a complication, like an infection.

Most patients need a week of recovery time after chin implant surgery. 

Here's what to expect during your recovery:

• Take it easy during the first week, with no strenuous activity or bending over. 
• Your lower face will feel tender and swollen, but you’ll have pain medication prescribed by your doctor to ease any discomfort. 
• Most patients say that their jawline felt stretched and tight during the first week after surgery, too. 
• You may need to eat soft foods (that don't require much chewing) and plenty of water for the first few days.
• Some physicians recommend wearing a compression garment for the first week of recovery.
• Sleep face-up with your head elevated for at least two weeks, to help reduce swelling.
• You’ll be able to resume most normal activities after about 10 days and start working out again two weeks after surgery.
• At the two-week mark, Dr. Majmundar says that "you'll be able to be out and about, and acquaintances, including coworkers, will not know you had anything done." 
• Avoid exercise or activities where you could hit your face, to avoid displacing the implant, for at least three weeks.
• After approximately six weeks, most swelling will be gone, with full results visible at roughly three months post-surgery.  

Related: The 5 Best Post-Operative Pillows for the Most Uncomfortable Surgeries

Chin implant results can last a lifetime. "Solid silicone does not reabsorb and, because it is solid, there is no concern with it leaking," says Dr. Ross Clevens, a facial plastic surgeon in Melbourne, Florida. 

If placed properly, a chin implant should not migrate or disintegrate, and it will last indefinitely or as long as you want it. 

If you no longer want the implant, it can easily be removed. Just be aware that you may be left with some skin laxity.

There are a few other procedures that enhance the chin and jawline. 

	Dermal Fillers nonsurgical	Facelift surgical	Neck Lift surgical	Chin Liposuction surgical	Genioplasty surgical	Jaw Surgery surgical
Worth It Rating	90%	92%	91%	94%	79%	82%
Average Cost	$1611	$19123	$12417	$3982	$9195	$30623
Downtime	Minimal or no downtime	10–14 days of downtime	1–2 weeks of downtime	3–5 days of downtime	Up to 1 week of downtime	4 weeks of downtime
Anesthesia	Topical or no anesthesia	Local w/sedation or general anesthesia	General anesthesia	Local anesthesia	Varies by procedure	General anesthesia

• Injectable fillers are a nonsurgical alternative to implant procedures. The fillers most commonly used in the chin—Juvéderm, Restylane, and Belotero—are made of hyaluronic acid. Results are temporary but long-lasting (about 12 to 24 months).
• In addition to providing overall rejuvenation, a facelift or neck lift can improve the look of the chin by tightening muscles and skin. 
• Chin liposuction can remove excess fat below the chin, sculpting the profile.  
• Mandibular advancement surgery, also called a sliding genioplasty, repositions the chin and jawbone to improve the look of a receding chin. The procedure is usually performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and is typically done in a hospital with an overnight stay.   
• If the structure of your jaw is compromised from crooked teeth, genetics, or a birth defect, orthognathic surgery can improve the shape of the chin, as well as help with pain and function. 

Learn about a variety of chin enhancement options from Dr. Jennifer Levine, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, and two RealSelf members who had chin procedures.

Carlos E. Sciaraffia et al. “Bone Resorption after Use of Silicone Chin Implants, Long-Term Follow-Up Study with Lateral Chin Radiography.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, July 2018.

Columbia University Division of Plastic Surgery, “Chin Surgery,” 2020.

Edward I. Lee. “Aesthetic Alteration of the Chin.” Seminars in Plastic Surgery, Aug. 2013.

Hani M. Rayess et al. “Adverse Events in Facial Implant Surgery and Associated Malpractice Litigation.” JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, May 2018.