Chin Augmentation Using Cartilage Graft

Chin augmentation is best performed with a silastic silicone implants.  One of the manufacturers that we use is Implantech.  The implants come in multiple different shapes and several different sizes, to meet each patient’s needs, wishes, and desires.  The nasal septal cartilage is simply not thick enough to augment the chin area.  In addition, the anterior portion of the chin area is curved whereas the nasal septal cartilage is straight.  It is best to have the chin augmentation through a submental incision, not an intraoral incision.  With the intraoral incision the implants tend to migrate and shift back out much more frequently through the incision and there is a higher complication rate with that route.  

In chin augmentation surgery use of soft silicone anatomically shaped implant is the preferred method for many surgeons because it creates good results, naturally fitting and has very low complication rate. Nose cartilage is linear and needs to be shaped to augment the chin. Some surgeons like that approach but many more surgeons prefer the ease, consistency and greater augmentation one derives from chin implants. The long term benefits of chin enchantment with nasal cartilage are questionable and I personally have patient follow up of 25 years who had Silastic chin implants with great long term tolerance and long term aesthetic benefits.

I prefer the pre-fabricated implants made of silicone or medpore for chin augmentation. The implants give you more augmentation than what the nasal cartilage graft can achieve. Also, the implants are made to give you a tapered edge more peripherally along the body of the mandible, and to fit over your chin precisely. Rejection, infection,  or extrusion of chin implants is quite rare.