Q. I have not stopped hearing about chin implants lately. I have always thought that my chin was small but since there has been all this hoopla about the chin, I’d like to know what my options are.
Chin implants have been around for a long time. I have seen lots of variations on sizes, type of materials used and varying methods of introducing the implants to the chin area.
Chin implants are made of different materials. they include silicone, rubber-like materials and bone. The bone may be your own bone or bone from a cadaver donor. If it’s your own bone it may come from your hip or your own jaw (it’s moved forward and secured with little metal plates). Chin implants vary in size and shape depending on the patients needs and wants and what your physician thinks is best for you.
Like everything else in surgery, there are other procedures that may be added to your chin augmentation surgery that would improve your cosmetic results. Neck lipo-suction improves the jaw line and often enhances the overall result. in addition, a rhinoplasty, or nose job, is often accompanied with a chin implant. Improving the chin often makes a bad nose look good. Likewise, improving the nose makes a bad chin look good.
as in life, there is always the good with the bad. Chin surgery has risks like ALL surgeries. Risks include infection, rejection of the implant, malposition and nerve injury. Nerve injuries include loss of sensation, persistent pain and on rare occurrence, loss of movement in the lower lip. while these complications are rare, they do occur.
in picking your physician, you should pick a facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) or an oral surgeon. Make sure that your physician discusses your expectations, shows you pictures of before and after patients and discusses your risks and benefits before your sign up.
I find that chin augmentation surgery is a very rewarding procedure for my patients to undergo once they are well informed. good luck.
