Chin Implant (Augmentation)

Background

Before

After

Dr. Sayah uses facial implants to improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently, these implants will help provide a more harmonious balance to your face so you may feel better about the way you look. The implant strengthens the jaw line or brings the chin into balance with the rest of the face. In Dr. Sayah's experience, creating subtle but definite proportion, size, and projection to a small, recessive chin may add tremendously to one's appearance. You can change your chin from having a notch at the center (cleft chin) to a smooth contour. In contrast, those seeking a more unique appearance may select an implant which produces a cleft chin.

The implant is made of soft silastic, a safe, rubber-plastic material that has been used medically in the body for more than twenty years (i.e., ear, dental, and eye surgery, replacement heart valves and blood vessels, replacement joints--hips, knees, fingers, etc.)

The body is compatible with this material. Supportive tissue forms around the implant after a few weeks. Once healed, it usually feels like your normal chin.

Chin augmentation is frequently performed in association with other plastic surgery procedures such as nasal surgery (rhinoplasty), cheek implant, facelift, or neck recontouring. In certain cases, you can simply achieve a smaller nose by placing a chin implant, bringing the face into the correct proportions. Please refer to the list of specialties provided to you for additional information on these procedures.

Procedure

Chin augmentation is performed by making a small incision either inside the mouth where the lower lip joins the teeth (the preferred location), or in the small crease line under the chin. A small pocket is created directly over the bone exactly the size of the implant to avoid shifting or implant movement. The implants come in different sizes and shapes. The choice depends on your desired change and Dr. Sayah's judgment. During your surgery, the various sizes and shapes are tried and changed to obtain the optimum result. Normally, antibiotics are given before and after surgery to decrease the risk of infection.

Chin augmentation is frequently performed in association with other plastic surgery such as nasal, cheek implant, facelift, or neck suctioning. The anesthesia method of choice in our office is a safe, light, general anesthetic performed by an anesthesiologist. We can also perform this under intravenous sedation. After you are asleep, a long-acting, local anesthetic is injected into the area to provide several hours of numbness to the area.

Usually a small amount of supportive tape is used for a few days. This may be removed as it becomes loose. Slight bruising and swelling, both of the chin and neck, occurs for a few days. This swelling may initially be bothersome, as your chin will, at first, appear larger and rounder than the final result. Occasionally, a slight amount of bruising may appear under the chin. This can be masked by make-up after five days.

There is usually no true pain, just discomfort. A stiff feeling of the chin and lower lip is common for several days. With an incision inside the mouth, a clear liquid diet of water, juices, cool tea, and cool, clear broth is recommended for the first day following surgery. For the second day, a full liquid diet of juices, soups, etc. is preferred. A soft diet should be followed for another three to five days. Hard foods such as corn-on-the-cob, apples, etc., should be avoided for six weeks.

After the Procedure

When the incision is under the chin, a soft diet is recommended for five days, until stiffness starts to resolve. The outside incision line can be washed after two days. Bacitracin ointment should be placed on the outside of the chin incision two times per day once the tape comes off.

Men should avoid shaving the chin until soreness resolves in three to five days. When the incision is under the chin, avoid shaving over the area until the stitches are removed. When the incision is inside the mouth, the lower teeth should not be brushed or flossed for one week. Mouthwash can be used after two days.

Elevate your head on one to two pillows. Light ice compresses can be applied over the chin. If you have an incision on the inside of your lip, you should be on a clear liquid diet (7-Up, clear apple juice) for 24 hours, a full liquid diet (chicken soup, orange juice) for the next 24 hours, and a soft diet for five days. With an inner lip incision, also do not brush the lower teeth for three days. Most of the swelling is gone in two weeks, but the nice definition and form of the chin may not be appreciated for four to six weeks.