Weak chin: am I candidate for chin implant or. maxillofacial surgery? (photos)

Question

I had braces when I was 17-19 to correct an anterior open bite and a class II malocclusion. The braces mostly aligned my teeth, but did little for my weak chin, which I'm insecure about (particularly since I've got a pretty big nose). Surgery was suggested to me at the time, but my bite was functional, so my parents said no. Would I be a candidate for a chin implant, or is it worth looking into maxillofacial surgery? If I do, is it likely that I'd have to have braces again?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There is no doubt, based on these photos, that good rhinoplasty would significantly change balance of your face. Whether small chin augmentation (implant) would be needed, can be decided on the basis of 3 D simulation. Surgeons that do significant number of rhinoplasties have such a software in their office. Other way would be temporary augmentation of chin with filler, which will give you idea what it would look like if implant is placed. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty, is recommended. Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Getting a good assessment on cranial facial balance and aesthetics should ideally come from someone who has years of experience, is inherently talented and has training to do all of the most complex procedures.  By getting a formal assessment including all the treatment options and understanding what each one will and will not involve you can then break down the decision making to what is reasonable for you and what you’re willing to go through.

With these type of procedures some people are willing to have a minor outpatient elective procedure but may not be game for having there skull taken apart and re-plated with screws and plates.

Before you can make that decision you have to know what each of their different treatment options entails.

My suggestion is you start the process by having multiple in person consultations with local cranial facial surgeons either or both from an oral surgery background and or plastic surgery background.

For plastic surgeons this typically means those who have done a craniofacial fellowship and actively work doing these procedures.

If you go to garden-variety plastic surgeons office then they will most likely offer you a chicken implant or possibly sliding genioplasty but may not look at the complex relationship between your mandible and your maxilla in all the different facets.

Maybe in the end you opt for not doing anything or going to neighborhood med spa to have some fillers placed. Alternatively maybe you opt for major cranial facial reconstructive surgery and give yourself the facial dynamic you’ve always wanted.

Those providers who can do the most complex procedures can typically also do the easy ones. The opposite is not true.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Weak chin: am I candidate for chin implant or. maxillofacial surgery? (photos)

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Genioplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Weak chin: am I candidate for chin implant or. maxillofacial surgery? (photos)

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Genioplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.