Chin Implant Complications - What do I need to be aware of before getting the implant? Can they "slip" out of place?

There are some general risks with any type on a surgical procedure including bruising, pain, possible risks of infection and anesthesia but in general chin augmentation is a short procedure with less than one week downtime most of the times.  As far as specific risks to this procedure, the main ones include:- Transient or permanent numbness of the portion of the jaw from a sensory nerve damage-  Asymmetry or possible displacement of the implant, and thus a need for revision- Suboptimal size of the implant, and thus need for replacement- Rare scenarios of muscle weakness of the chin or lipFor people who are particularly concerned about these risks or not so sure how they would feel following the surgery, the option of temporary filler for augmentation also exists with a lower risk profile. 

The surgeon you choose should absolutely go over the risks and complications with you before performing any surgery. Nonetheless, the answer depends on route taken for inserting the implant. If the implant is placed by making an incision on the outside of your chin, which is commonly done, this lower position of insertion can, over the years, give the implant an area that it can slip into, since the dissection has created an area for future migration of the implant. For this reason, I prefer to place the implant through the intra-oral route, meaning through the mouth, which has two benefits: 1)the implant has no ability to migrate to this lower position and 2)no incisions can be seen, so no one will ever know you had surgery. If properly prepped in surgery, there is not any increase in infection with this approach, and the benefits are excellent. The surgery should be performed with the patient under anesthesia in a hospital or an accredited facility with sterile technique by a board certified plastic surgeon. Antibiotics are given through an IV during the procedure prophylactically while the patient is under anesthesia. Some surgeons also give antibiotics orally after the surgery to further prevent any risk of infection. I recommend consulting in person with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations and see if a chin implant is the right procedure for you. It is overall a very safe and effective surgery that patients are satisfied with, as it enhances the balance and harmony of the face.

Thank you for your question and I appreciate your concern. While complications can occur after any surgery, those risks are minimized when you work with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has expertise in chin implant techniques. I only work with silicone implants, which can be easily customized to a precise shape for the most natural result. At the same time, silicone implants are very easy to remove if the patient decides to switch or remove the implant in the future. If you do not wish to make any changes, most of these implants offer permanent results. I advise you to choose your surgeon carefully, and you are very likely to be very happy with your outcome.