Is It Normal for the Lower Lip to Feel Numb Weeks After Chin Implant?

Kathy,
There are two nerves that give sensation coming out of your mandible close to where the chin implant is placed. There are another two nerves that make the muscles move around your mouth that cross over near where the chin implant is placed. In some cases, there may be a transitory period of numbness or weakness if the nerves were stretched during the placement of the implant. If there was considerable stretching, and the nerve or nerves suffered considerable injury, it may take months to recover. In an even smaller percentage of people, there may be permanent nerve damage. However, at this point only 4 weeks out from surgery, don't get too worried. However, you should discuss your concerns with your surgeon.
I hope this is helpful.
David Shafer, MD
Shafer Plastic Surgery
New York City

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure.  The mental nerve may have neuropraxia or less likely damage.  The sensation should return over weeks to months, but followup closely with your surgeon.The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

The sensibility to you chin should come back in time although 4 weeks starts to create some anxiety.  If the nerve was cut (and it should not have been) repair will be necessary and it will take a long time to recover.  I strongly doubt this is the case.  Numbness from handling the nerve is common and may take a number of weeks but usually is just a few days.  If the implant is putting pressure on the nerve, it will need to be repositioned if sensibility is to return.

Numbness present weeks after a chin implant is due to the mental nerve being stretched or swollen. The good news is that the feeling typically comes back to normal over time.

The problems that you describe can be temporary, especially if it has been only 4 weeks. Unfortunately they can be a longer term problem. I would certainly speak with your surgeon because removal or repositioning of the implant may be necessary to resolve your problems.

There are two approaches to doing a chin implant, through the mouth and under the chin.  Each has its advantages.

Most younger people choose through the mouth because their skin under the chin is so nice and perfect that they don't want an incision.  If you already have a scar (common childhood injury), a crease, or are having other surgery on the neck that requires that incision, you should have the chin implant placed that way.

I am going to assume your implant was placed through the mouth.  With the incision through the mouth, a few of the very small nerve branches to the central lower lip are cut and some mild numbness in the very middle can occur.  This is temporary.  If there is total numbness and goes all the way to the edge of the lip, you should contact your surgeon as it is possible the main branch was injured.  When the incision is inside the mouth, it also causes some swelling and disruption of the muscle in the lower lip.  This results in the lip being a little higher when you smile and some challenges to forming words.  These are temporary but take a few months to go away.

Putting the incision under the chin usually causes none of the numbness and lip mobility issues.  It is a much quicker return to normal.  You do, however, have a small scar that is slightly visible when viewed from below.

In short, if you want an essentially invisible placement of the implant and are willing to deal with a few months of quirks, go through the mouth.  Otherwise go underneath.

Numbness or tingling after Chin Implant surgery may happen after chin implant surgery because there are two large nerves along the mandible (jaw bone).  The surgeon must take care not to injure these nerves.  More often than not, if numbness occurs, it is temporary.

Facial paralysis is not a normal risk of chin implant surgery because the nerves that cause movement in the face are not in the usual area of implantation.

There may be some temporary, "funny feeling" with eating, smiling, etc. from swelling after surgery, but this should be temporary also.

Numbness 4 weeks after chin implant is worriesome. If it persists for two more weeks, remove the implant. Consider revision of insertion again or fat transrer in 6 months. Implant might be impeding on the mental nerve.

I would give it sometime until all swelling go down. Make sure you mention it to your surgeon, he will be able to follow up the progress of the recovery and interfere if necessary.

After a chin implant, there is swelling and edema for approximately two months after the surgery. The mental nerve is located just above the implant, and there is a normal course of numbness after the chin implant procedure for approximately one to two months. There is a rare occasion whereby the numbness might be permanent after a chin implant.