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Benefits of Chin Aug Intraorally Vs. Extraorally?

Hi, can surgeons comment on the approach they like to make for chin augmentations (intraorally vs. extraorally)? Also, can you comment on the typical downtime, swelling and bruising for their approach of choice? thanks

Doctor Answers 8

Chin implants. Best approach?

August 24th, 2013
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  I think honest and good surgeons may give different answers to this question, and it depends on the surgeon's preference.  I have no evidence here but I do think an external approach may be "intuitively" safer as you are not placing ghe implant through a "dirty" place such as the mouth.

Lawrence Kass, MD


Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 114 reviews

Benefits of Chin Aug Intraorally Vs. Extraorally?

August 5th, 2013
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 I have placed quite a few chin implants over the past 25 years and in my opinion only the external approach should be used.  A small incision under the chin is placed and the implant is placed under the covering of the bone.  This avoids cutting the menatlis muscle attachment which must be done when using the intra-oral approach.  Cutting the muscle attachment can allow ptosis of that muscle as well as riding up of the chin implant into the mental sulcus.  

Web reference: http://www.drfpalmer.com/ChinImplants.html

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.6 out of 5 stars 24 reviews

Chin implant choices in Los Angeles

August 12th, 2013
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Many surgeons have their preference.  There is some risk of disrupting the mentalis muscle with an intraoral approach, whereas the submental approach has an very well placed scar.Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Web reference: http://www.karemd.com/plastic-surgery/74/chin-implant.aspx

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 90 reviews

Chin implant placement intraorally or extra orally

August 5th, 2013
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   In our practice we have always placed  chin implants  through a small incision in the sub-mentum  known as the external approach. The implant stands a less chance of infection and extrusion and migration  when placed  through  sub-mental,  external approach.

Web reference: http://chincheekimplantsseattle.com

William Portuese, MD

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 125 reviews

Benefits of Chin Aug Intraorally Vs. Extraorally?

August 4th, 2013
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Dear Fox,

Thank you for your post.  Benefit of going extra-orally, is that it is a quicker, easier surgery, and a slightly less risk of infection.  The benefit of going intra-orally, is that there is no visible scar.  I would prefer that if I were you. 

Best Wishes,

Pablo Prichard, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

Is it better to place a chin implant through the mouth?

August 3rd, 2013
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Whether the placement of a chin implant is done through the mouth or through an incision under the chin may be determined by what other procedures are being done.  For example, if I am placing a chin implant as a stand-alone procedure, especially for a younger person, I prefer to go through the mouth and avoid an external scar.  If I am placing a chin implant during a facelift, I am more likely to go through the skin under the chin (submental incision), as I may be placing an incision there anyway to tighten the platysma muscle in the neck.  I don't think there is any significant difference with regard to risks, swelling, bruising, or downtime.  

Web reference: http://www.pacificplasticsurgery.com/pages/facial-implants

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 28 reviews

Benefits of Chin Aug Intraorally Vs. Extraorally?

August 2nd, 2013
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The benefit of the intraoral approach is the lack of an external incision. The downside is that there is a slightly higher risk of infection as well as malposition of the implant. It also takes slightly longer as the exposure is not as good. The benefits of the external approach are ease of positioning, lower risk of infection and lower likelihood of the implant moving after placement. The downside is a small incision in the crease behind the chin that typically heals very nicely. There is typically swelling for several weeks but most patients can return to work/ school/ social activities by one week. I hope this information is helpful. Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Web reference: http://weberfacialplasticsurgery.com/facial-implants/

Stephen Weber, MD, FACS

Stephen Weber, MD, FACS
Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 123 reviews

Pros and Cons of external vs internal chin implant

August 6th, 2013
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In my opinion the external approach allows for accurate placement and fixation of the chin implant. Lower rate of infection and no distortion of the mentalis muscle are an added bonus. The very small scar in the submental area is not visible and heals extremely well. I have attached a link to a helpful educational video.

Web reference: http://www.8west.ca/necklift/chin-implant/

Thomas Buonassisi, MD

Thomas Buonassisi, MD
Vancouver Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 98 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.