What is the best way to correct a deep cleft chin? (Photos)

Question

Hi doctors, I want a more feminine chin and have always been self-concious about my "butt chin" In the past I've had two syringes of Radiesse injected but that didn't give me any significant degree of correction. I'm wondering if a chin implant would fix the issue once and for all? Thanks in advance!

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

The tethering of skin to the underlying connective tissue and muscle is contributing to the formation of your cleft. From a submental approach the tethering can be released to eliminate or at least minimize the dimple. I recommend simultaneous fat grafting.

Stephen J. Pincus, MD · Answer

It is unlikely that a chin implant placed beneath the periosteum of the chin will solve the problem. It has been my experience that the attachments to the dermis of the cleft need to be cut and the two mentalis muscles sewn in the midline. Even then, occasionally additional temporals fascia may be needed to further obliterate the cleft.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you very much for this excellent question.  It has been my experience that what at times causes these chin clefts are fibrous bands from the mandible to the overlying skin.  This type of band often travels between the two heads of the Mentalis Muscle.  Band release and partial band resection are often required to permanently eliminate the cleft.  If this maneuver is 100% effective, it will become immediately obvious.

A secondary problem can be that the skin on the chin is constricted, and as an adjunct to the fibrous band release, the surgeon may also have to make intra oral multiple cuts in the chin dermis to release constricted skin.

I highly recommend you seek one of the excellent Board Certified plastic surgeons in LA to carry out this delicate maneuver.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

A chin implant could help, but we'd need a side view to know for sure. The problem is that a chin implant makes the chin stronger and if you have a strong chin already that's not a good idea.  Much of the time we can go inside your mouth and adjust the bone directly to get rid of the cleft.  Feminization of the chin and jaw is a specialty of ours!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Dimples are caused by connective tissue that pulls in on the skin

Because of this neither fillers  nor chin implants will  correct the dimple. Wide excision with undermining can sometimes correct them. Cutting the connective tissue bands with adding volume at the same time such as filler or fat transfer can sometimes correct these.

They can be more challenging than people anticipate.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

What is the best way to correct a deep cleft chin? (Photos)

Answers (5)