Indications
Down through the ages, as depicted in the works of many famous artists, a strong chin has been considered a sign of physical beauty. On the other hand, a person with a receding chin is sometimes described as having a "weak" chin because their faces seem unbalanced to them. Chin augmentation, or mentoplasty, is a surgical procedure that has helped thousands of people improve their appearance by altering the contours of their face. It is designed to add size to or move forward a receding chin. In some cases, a chin augmentation is done in conjunction with liposuction of the neck or jowls or other cosmetic facial procedures such as rhinoplasty and facelift.

The best candidate for chin augmentation is the individual with a receding chin and a normal dental bite. For those with a bite dysfunction, jaw surgery, in conjunction with mentoplasty, may be necessary.

Intended Results
Variations in surgical correction for your chin can, if indicated, bring your features into more pleasing proportions. this can be accomplished by enlarging a small receding chin with the use of an implant or by decreasing the size of the chin to achieve more harmony in the profile.

Procedure Description
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under sedation and local or general anesthesia. An incision is made inside the lower lip or under the chin, and an implant is placed. In an alternative method called sliding osteotomy, a portion of the chin bone is permanently moved forward.

Recuperation and Healing
The patient goes home with a small pressure dressing over the chin. Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Swelling, tenderness, and possible local numbers gradually subside for a month or two.

Rhinoplasty & Chin Augmentation
When a patient is unhappy with the way their nose fits their face, the first thing they consider is rhinoplasty. While this may be the correct solution for many people, sometimes the nose is actually fine but the chin needs augmented. In other cases, a rhinoplasty alone can help, but both may be needed to get the best overall results. Both procedures require 7-10 days of down time.

If you have been thinking about either rhinoplasty or chin augmentation, come in for a consultation where we will show you how these procedures can bring out your best.