Recessed Chin, Is a Chin Implant the Right Way to Go? (Asian Male 18 Y.o.) (photo)

Based on the photos that you've submitted, your profile could benefit from a chin implant. Complications can occur with any procedure. However, facial implants placed by an experienced plastic surgeon have a low risk of complications. Seek a consultation and ensure that you like and trust the surgeon and appreciate the results of numerous before and after photos. I hope this information is helpful.

Stephen Weber, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

                         If your bite is correct, then a chin implant is probably reasonable.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of chin implants and facial procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. 

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Your facial profile shows that you would clearly benefit by chin augmentation. The question in your case is whether it should be done by an implant or a sliding genioplasty. The sliding genioplasty consideration is very relevant for you given your your young age and the magnitude of your chin deficiency. That decision must take into account other issues such as how your chin currently looks from the front and what amount of augmentation you desire. These factors can be determined by preoperative computer imaging. 

 A Silastic  chin implant is an excellent way to augment the chin area, and in experienced hands, has a very low complication rate.  Its also important to make sure during the consultation that you and your surgeon pick the right size and shape based on your needs at time of examination. A Silastic  chin implant is usually inserted through a submental approach, placed directly over the bone, and underneath the periosteum. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, if patients are able to tolerate the local  anesthetic injection. 

Chin implants will cause the bone to erode with time - which will cause your chin to recede and/or the implant to start to move.  Chin implants are good options, but for younger patients I tend to recommend a genioplasty (actually moving the chin bone forward itself).  Find a surgeon in your area who is trained in craniofacial surgery and discuss the options with him/her.