My Chin Implant is Out of Place - Can I Fix it w/o Surgery?

Although "pushing and massaging" a chin implant can theoretically cause it to move it would be highly unlikely as your body forms a capsule around it keeping it in place. Plus there is often internal fixation by suture, screw or other means preventing its movement. Seek a second opitinion by a board certified plastic or oral surgeon if you are concerned.

This far out from surgery it's not very likely that massaging your chin implant will move it.

I suspect that you may need to have a revision procedure to re-insert it or place a different size implant.

At two years post op it is highly unlikely that any sort of massage techniques will help to realign your implant.  The implant is placed in a very precise pocket along the chin and jawline.  If dissection of the pocket is performed incorrectly implant can appear misaligned.  At his point I feel that your only option is surgery if you are looking to revise positioning.  Good Luck......Dr. Corrado

Hi Chicago2035 in Chicago, IL,

Chin augmentation with implants are common adjunct to other facial plastic procedures, such as rhinoplasty or face lift, or sometime done alone. While chin implants are more common in men, certain women may also benefit from chin surgery. Silicone is the preferred material for chin implants, but other material is also used.

After 2 years, it may be unlikely that gentle massage or manipulation will significantly alter the position. If you only notice something that bothers you in photographs of a certain light angle, then it may best be left alone. Alternatively, revision chin surgery may be appropriate. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a plastic surgery specialist help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

Dr. Chaboki

Hi there-

I don't believe that pushing on your implant will achieve correction.

You are going to need a surgical procedure if correcting this is important to you.

It is highly unlikely that massage will reposition a chin implant 2 years after surgery. However, there is no risk of this causing any harm. If this does not work, I would recommend returning to your surgeon for a revision. If they are not able or interested in helping you, please find an experienced plastic surgeon to do your revision surgery.
Best,Stephen Weber MD, FACS

I do not believe that pushing on the implant will cause it to shift within the fibrous tissue pocket or capsule

Occasionally, chin implants do not seat correctly on the anterior jawbone. This abnormality can become more obvious over time, as the swelling slowly subsides. Usually the tissue surrounding the implant either grows into the implant or forms a capsule around it (depending of the implant material). The implant could be dislodged with severe trauma or impact, but I think unlikely to move just with manual pressure. I would consider having it re-positioned.

Most chin implants used today are made of flexible, non-liquid silastic. These implants ultimately heal into place by formation of a thick tissue capsule around them.

Personally, I do not think that external pushing, massage, taping etc. will have any noticable impact on the position of the implant - not after 3 months and not after 2 years. The implant usually stays, where the surgeon placed it in the first place. Surgical repositioning of the implant is the treatment of choice with the highest chance of appropriate chin implant placement.

If the implant position is really bothering you, then you will likely need surgical correction.  Massaging the implant will not likely worsen the situation but may not improve it.