Chin Implant: Under the Chin or Through the Mouth?

Here's my rationale for advocating an external incision for chin implant surgery:

The external incision under your chin heals nearly invisibly in everyone. There is no contamination of the implant from oral bacteria whan the external approach is used, and there is a lower likelihood of traumatizing the sensory mandibular nerves when the external approach is used. Lastly, the external approach of placing a chin implant is associated with less operating time, and less downtime (swelling) in my practice.

I hope this is helpful for you.
 

Your plastic surgeon should be comfortable with perfoming chin augmentation though the mouth or beneath the chin and it is not rude to ask him which he prefers or for you to make a request. You are right it is less risky to perform the chin augmentation from beneath the chin.

I personally prefer placement through the mouth unless it is an extended chin implant that is required to square the jaw or efface marrionette lines. Complication rates are essentially the same for both.

A chin implant are a relatively simple procedure. I am not certain how many a year a physician needs to do to be "proficient." I personally find that I suggest it much more often than I perform it. Many of my patients just don't want to change their facial structure that much, regardless of the clear impact on facial balance.

I would be more interested in seeing before and after photos and making sure you like the surgeon's individual results. Don't be afraid to ask, though. It's a very reasonable question.

Best of luck

asfar as I have been able to find in the literature, the rates of infection, numbness, etc, are the same for either intraoral or under the chin approach.  I prefer the intraoral approach since the scar is hidden and have never had any significant problems with that approach.  I would address it with your surgeon and seewhat they are comfortable with.  Ultimately, it is up to you where you would like to have the scar, but in reality, the long term results shouldbe the same.  I hope this helps.

I am not sure about whether any study has shown increased nerve damage with one approach over the other but there are concerns about a higher infection rate with the intra oral approach. Injectable fillers are an option as Dr. Aldea has discussed.