How long does a Chin Implant last?

Chin implants are meant to last forever.  The modern chin implant is most commonly made of solid silicone, can be modified as needed and comes in a variety of sizes to appropriately hug your mandible.  The nice thing about these implants is that should they ever need to be removed it can easily be done.  There are other implant choices as well. Sliding genioplasty is a different procedure, where your bone is cut and moved, then held in place with titanium. When you go for your consultation, make sure your surgeon tells you the pros and cons of each option, as each patient may benefit from one over the other. 

Thanks for asking.  Most chin implants are performed with the intent that they will be permanent.  Most commonly used are silicone chin implants and they can last a lifetime.  I like silicone because if needed they can be removed and or replaced if desired or needed.  Speak with your surgeon to discuss your options. 

Chin implants are extremely durable and long-lasting. Made of solid silicone, not liquid, once placed a chin implant should never need to be replaced. Sliding genioplasty is a more invasive and higher risk procedure. Quite frankly, there is rarely an instance in which sliding genioplasty is the better of the two options. It carries a higher risk of infection, involves cutting of the bone and is not reversible if the results are as desired. Whereas a chin implant takes roughly 40min to put in place, carries only a 1% infection rate for the lifetime of the implant and if the results aren't as desired, the implant can be removed under local anesthesia. Overall, the sliding genioplasty is an outdated procedure that would produce essentially the same results as a chin implant, but at a much higher risk and cost.

A chin implant, like all facial implants, is a permanent implant. The implant itself will never degrade, break down or need to be replaced because of material failure. They are differences between a chin implant and  a sliding genioplasty and the consideration of both have to be done on each inidividual patient's need and desired dimensional chin changes.

 A sliding genioplasty is performed as a stand-alone procedure by  an oral surgeon under general anesthesia  in a hospital setting with an overnight stay. It involves breaking the mandible, and setting in proper position with plates and screws. A sliding genioplasty is recommended when the teeth are significantly out of alignment. A chin implant procedure involves placement of a small Silastic chin implant through a half inch incision underneath the chin. The implant is permanent and  will last forever. A chin implant will not affect the dentition of the teeth. For many examples of chin implants, please see the link and the video below

I use solid silicone extended anatomical chin implants from Implantech. They are meant to stay in place long term, and hopefully not need to be replaced. This is different from a breast implant which needs to be switched out every 15 years or so. Some patients can get bone resorption underneath the implant which could predispose to needing it switched out or even removed. Make sure to discuss all these options with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hi, I have performed many Chin Augmentations using chin implants for over 30 years. From the photos, your chin is weak. A weak chin creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin. Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face. I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty. I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone. In my opinion, you are a good candidate for chin implant surgery.  The implant provides a permanent enhancement.Hope this helps.

There is no expiration date on a chin implant.  I know patients that have had them in for over 30 years.  Over long periods of time they can erode into the bone of the jaw, but that may take many years.  They can also become infected and require removal, but this is not common.  A genioplasty uses your own bone as an implant and is held in place by a titanium plate.  It is done through an intraoral incision can be moved in multiple directions as needed.  Find a board certified surgeon who does frequent chin surgery for the best outcome.  Good luck.  Donald R. Nunn MD, DDS  Atlanta Plastic Surgeon