Fear of chin implant long term side effects: Is it worth it risk vs. reward? (Photos)

Question

Hi, I'm hoping to get some honest advice for my chin implant concerns. I had 6mm silicone 5 years ago and no major issues. Not 100% with the appearance as it's a bit unnatural but it is an improvement and I'm ok with it. However I've been thinking of removing or replacement with a sliding genioplasty (3-5mm) as I'm worried about implant longterm issues like bone erosion (I have mentalis strain closing mouth), infection, displacement. Is it worth it risk vs reward? What's my best option? Thank you!

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

Typically, those silicone or silastic chin implants remain attached to the bone and do not cause any long term issues. If you are satisfied with the cosmetic results, then I would leave it alone as the risks of removal outweigh the benefits.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Your chin could be made to have better projection. If you’re not sure you’re ready for surgery, but still want to improve and strengthen your chin and profile, I’d suggest augmenting your chin with Sculptra and/or Voluma. If you like your new look, you can make it permanent with a chin implant. Hope this helps.

Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS · Answer

One often hears this statement in surgery: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."  If you are pleased with your result after a chin implant and just fear the possibilities of complications in the future, you may want to consider staying the course. An osseous sliding genioplasty allows one to move the chin point in 3 dimensions. It allows more versatility  in movement and position then with a chin implant procedure. However, just like any surgery, osseous genioplasties have their risks as well.  Seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon experienced with jaw surgery. Review with them your questions and concerns. Good luck!

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures, including Chin Augmentation with dermal fillers or silastic chin implants, for over 30 years.  When the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy, the lower face looks short, de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a "double chin".  
 Proper placement of a silastic chin implant adds forward projection to the chin thereby creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  Using the same incision, liposuction can be performed to reduce the fat and further shape the neck.  Excess skin, from below the chin, can also be removed through the same incision.  
 I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty (requires extensive tissue dissection, bone cuts and placement of metal screws and plates to secure the cut segments of bone).  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.   Which is better, chin implant or sliding genioplasty?  We place silastic chin implants through a small, curved incision under the chin using local anesthetic in 30 minutes or less.  This is "far" less invasive than a sliding genioplasty that requires cuts in the bone with plates or screws.  For that reason and because the aesthetic results are so good with a properly placed silastic chin implant of the correct shape and size...in my humble opinion there's no comparison.  In my experience and humble opinion, a silastic chin implant has been proven to be very safe, produce very natural looking chin augmentation and when placed through an incision under the chin should very rarely get infected or have significant bone absorption.  I would think a sliding genioplasty because it involves bone cuts would have more frequent and significant unwanted side effects including nerve involvement, bone infection an bone necrosis.Hope this helps.

Fear of chin implant long term side effects: Is it worth it risk vs. reward? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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