Chin Implant, Fat Transfer, or a Filler?

The chin and jaw line are important characteristics in facial harmony and if weak or recessed can result in facial imbalance. Chin augmentation can be achieved by several methods, each has its own advantages and disadvantage
Non-surgical augmentation of the chin with fillers (hyaluronic acid, radiesse) offer a conservative augmentation that is temporary for between 6-12months. Fillers are generally softer materials so the augmentation of the bone along the jaw line is generally limited in effectiveness. They offer the advantage of a non-surgical procedure that enable a patient to “try out an improvement” before surgery.Fat transfer: can have variable results in augmenting the chin as survival of the fat in this area can be modest. Fat is a soft material so does not simulate boney weakness.Chin augmentation with a chin implant requires a surgical procedure to insert the chin implant, the size of the implant can be tailored to the individual and the implants will last long-term. The implant can be tailored in shape to your individual jaw line and the tails of the implant can further strengthen the jaw line. An implant can provide a long-term treatment that will last indefinately.Augmentation of the chin with jaw advancement surgery (termed sliding genioplasty) requires more invasive surgery than insertion of a chin implant. For marked recession the treatment is coupled with orthodontics requiring braces to realign bite that requires many months of treatment, there maybe numbness in the area of the jaw after treatment which can be permanent. Generally this is not required for most chin augmentation unless severe recession is present.The most suitable treatment for you, depends on you clinical features, signs and facial characteristics. In the absence of a photograph or clinical assessment this is difficult to evaluation, seeing a surgeon who is able to offer all of the alternative options may be the best way forward to fine the most suitable option for your individual needs.

A chin augmentation using an implant as the most predictable and long-lasting, permanent, results. The only reason I would recommend use of fillers would be to give you an approximate idea of what I would look like for a fuller chin in the event you were unsure if you wished to proceed with this surgery. Fat transfer is an OK choice for some, but only a portion of the fat survives. I usually perform chin augmentation in the office under local anesthesia with oral sedation although other forms of anesthesia and certainly are available. Ir you are choosing a filler, my preference is for Radiesse, which of course is temporary.

Chin implantationor sliding genioplasty are the most definitive ways of improving chin projection. Filler placement is a viable way to temporarily create a stronger chin.

Fat graft is less successful in treating the chin area so if you wanted to have a surgery implantation or sliding genioplasty would be better options.

Hello,


You have asked a very interesting question.  However, it is difficult to have a meaning discussion about the most appropriate options for you without a photograph. 
Generally speaking, the preferred options for a weak chin are oral surgery (breaking the bones and advancing them) or an implant.  Implants can be used to increase the projection, the horizontal or vertical widths or your chin.  The type of implant used depending on the size of your chin and the changes that you would like to make.
Fat transfer and dermal fillers are typically not used to augment a recessed chin.  With regards to cost, fat transfer and implants are both surgical procedures requiring sedation, operating equipment, and increased initial expense.  The cost of fillers will be considerably less, but will need to be repeated every 10-18 months.

 

 

 

 

 

The only effective treatment for a weak chin would be a preformed synthetic implant. Injectable fillers should only be used as a temporary 'test'  treatment to determine if surgical chin augmentation would be worthwhile. However, the results of injectable chin augmentation are not the same as that of a real implant so I am not certain that it provides a really good preoperative determination. Fat injections are another type of 'implant' but their take and smoothness of the result are not always assured.

Hi Chan05

It depends.  The reality of liposuction is that even if there isn't much fat to remove (and in younger patients there often isn't) you still get improved definition of the chin and jawline with it, especially if you used a laser assisted liposuction like smartlipo.  However, for the most part, if you want a good permanent result to improve the look of your chin I would go with the implant.  It's safe, effective, and if you don't like it you can remove it.  On the other hand if you want to try it out, so to speak, you can use Radiesse first.  It'll augment the chin but it won't be permanent.  If you like it then your can proceed with implant with more confidence.  Here's a break down:

Chin implant:  Cost - $2,300 to $3,000.  Risk - infection, and chin/lip numbness (low incidence).

Radiesse: Cost $600 per syringe (might need two).  Risk - you don't like it or you're unimpressed but it goes away over 9 to 16 months.

Chin  Liposuction:  Cost $2,500 to $3,500.  Risk -  not many. . .maybe some uneveness of the skin but it's rare.  Maybe some bruising for a week and swelling (mild) for two.

The liposuction really enhances the implant if you decide on that and you still get an improvement even though you may have little fat to give.

Best of luck

Chase Lay, MD

 For a young person like yourself, I usually recommend a solid silicone implant which will provide life long improvement in your weak chin. Fat or fillers, which are easier to place,  will give temporary results which will have to be repeated throughout life.

The most definitive way to improve a weak chin is with a chin implant.  The use of autologous fat and fillers is a temporary solution or best used to soften the edge of a implant.

Of the options you listed the only viable option would be a chin implant. The other options would either not work or provide minimal change.