Chin implant and boxing question, please help

Question

Hello, I'am an 18 y/o male and I'm looking to get a chin implant to better my appearance but after I had planned to get into boxing possibly competitively but mostly to get into shape and of course i wouldn't fight or spare until after I make a full recovery from the operation. I was wondering if I should continue this even with the implant or would it be a bad idea? Would it get knocked out of place? Or would I be fine because I thought if a chin implant is made to act like a part of your jaw!

Catherine Winslow, MD · Answer

Hello! Chin implants are a wonderful way to contour the chin and improve facial harmony in the appropriate patient. There are several different materials that can be used for implantation- silicone (silastic), goretex, medpor (porous polyethylene) and merseline are all examples. Silicone is the most widely used and the easiest to shift with trauma. A full force punch or kick to face has the potential to shift any implant, no matter how secure. Shadow boxing is of course not a problem. Discuss your plans in advance with your surgeon and consider waiting until after you are done with contact boxing for chin augmentation. Good luck!

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

One can have a chin implant and participate in boxing afterwards. But I would recommend that the chin implant be secured with multiple screws to ensure that it can not ever be displaced from repeated trauma.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, non smiling photos of your face from the front and side would help in the evaluation. I have performed many Chin Augmentations using chin implants for over 30 years.  From the photos, your chin is weak.  A weak chin creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty.  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.  In my opinion, you are a good candidate for chin implant surgery.You'd have to avoid strenuous activity (for 1 month) and boxing (facial contact for 3 months) but after that it shouldn't be an issue. I have many chin implant patients that are very active (military, SWAT, Professional fighters, Law Enforcement).Hope this helps.

Chin implant and boxing question, please help

Answers (3)