Chin implant or sliding genioplasty? (Photo)

Question

My goal is to increase chin width, projection, and vertical height and have it look natural. I have a short, recessed, pointed chin with a deep mentolabial fold. I worry that a chin implant will deepen the mentolabial fold and not provide any vertical length. Could a sliding genioplasty also change the shape of the chin to be wider as well improving the height and projection? I'm not sure which option would better at achieving my goals listed above.

Dean Fardo, MD · Answer

Both operations can produce nice results but there are pro's/ con's of each.A chin implant does not increase vertical height like a genioplasty can but I do not think that you need a vertical improvement.  A chin implant is generally less expensive and a more common approach but a well done genioplasty also works great.  Talk to your surgeon about the differences in each.  Good luck.

Joshua Lampert, MD, FACS · Answer

A sliding genioplasty will not help a pointy chin become more square.  A more complex genioplasty with multiple osteotomies and possible bone grafting may.  This is a bigger operation than an implant.  Additionally, fat grafting or filler can create a liquid genioplasty "test drive".  See an ABPS board certified plastic surgeon to further explore your options

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the questions and your photos. Sliding genioplasty will give more vertical height, but also has a much higher risk of complications and asymmetry. In my practice, I use a variety of shapes and sizes of chin implants to address this area. Your chin is mildly weak, but well within the range of cases that can be helped with an implant. Also, newer implants have been designed to give lateral projection as well as vertical height. Implantech makes one that works well.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Chin implants are composed of Silastic and are manufactured in many different sizes and shapes to fit most patient's anatomical needs. Silastic implants can  also customized by shaving them down accordingly when needed. The amount of projection width and vertical height can be adjusted accordingly by choosing the correct implant.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

I agree that your chin is not strong and augmentation would improve your projection, width, and height. If not done properly, both an implant or a genioplasty can make the mentolabial groove too deep. Everything you want can be achieved with an implant which is a much easier operation.

Chin implant or sliding genioplasty? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Chin implant candidate for width, projection and vertical height

Answer: Chin implant candidate for width, projection and vertical height

Answer: Chin Implant or Sliding Genioplasty

Answer: Chin Implant or Sliding Genioplasty

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Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Chin implant or sliding genioplasty? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Chin implant candidate for width, projection and vertical height

Answer: Chin implant candidate for width, projection and vertical height

Answer: Chin Implant or Sliding Genioplasty

Answer: Chin Implant or Sliding Genioplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.