Can Chin Implant Changes Face Length? (photo)

Specifically, chin implants cannot lengthen the face. Osteotomies and orthgnathic surgery is necessary for that. However, overall improvement in facial profile and balance can be achived with a chin implant.

Chin implant surgery augmentations the chin in three dimensions: length, width, and projection.  We use silastic implants that do not require suture fixation into the bone.  The implant is inserted through a small ½ inch submental incision and placed directly over the bone.  It does add facial length since the angle of the mandible is pointed downward.  The implants come in multiple sizes, including small, medium, large, and extra large and a variety of shapes depending upon the manufacturer.  They can also be custom carved when necessary.  The chin implant surgery is performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and takes less than an hour to perform.

A chin implant can increase the projection of the chin so that your chin appears more forward on profile/side view.  The length of the face can be lengthened but by a different procedure.  Please consult with a board certified specialist who can assist you in achieving the results you seek.

 

Your original doctor's opinion is absolutely correct. A chin implant can not lengthen a chin more than few millimeters but will always be associated with some increased horizontal projection. A chin osteotomy can lengthen the chin only if desired and may be opened up as much as centimeter or more if needed.

 

Dear Cindycandy, It is difficult to tell by the one photograph and it is not a good profile picture to determine your needs. From what I can see you look like an excellent candidate for chin augmentation. As far as the jaw alignment etc it would depend upon your bite and if you have any problems there. Otherwise a good chin augmentation should help your aesthetic features balance better. If you would like to send some photographs to me on my e-mail listed on my website below I would be happy to give you my expert opinion. I personally use a digital imaging computer during my consultations which allows me to show the patient their proposed surgical result. This is extremely beneficial in chin augmentation and rhinoplasty photographs as it allows the patient to see the aesthetic changes of their proposed procedures. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.