Why not use human bones for jaw or chin implants/augmentation?

Question

Jaw and chin implants are generally done w/ silicone,medpor,etc.,all foreign bodies. Then chin genioplasty requires CUTTIN G the chin bone to increase vertical length.1.Would or would it not be better to use our own human bone(perhapsfrom the rib cage?) for jaw angles or chin implants?2. Which part of the human body can surgeons possibly harvest the bone from?

Afshin Parhiscar, MD · Answer

Dear SeraffeRadiated cadaveric bone has been in use in reconstructive surgery for many years. It has its set of advantages and disadvantages and can be used in certain cosmetic cases if need be. We often prefer to use your own tissue / bone for most procedures because they often provide many advantages. Two big advantages include cost and higher risk of absorption of the cadaveric bone.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Silastic chin implants are simply the best material used for augmentation of the chin. We have been using Silastic chin implants for 25 years and have an excellent success rate.  Harvesting bone from the rib cage for a chin implant simply will not work because the rib is straight and the chin is curved. At a early gauge, rib is cartilaginous, but as we all grew older, it becomes ossified. Rib grafts also tender warp over time. Harvesting the rib would be extremely painful from the donor site, and puts the patient at risk for pneumothorax. Both of these would have to be performed under general anesthesia. A Silastic chin implant takes approximately 30 minutes under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Why not use human bones for jaw or chin implants/augmentation?

Answers (2)

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