Down through the ages, as depicted in the works of many famous artists, a strong chin has been considered a sign of physical beauty. A person with a receding chin is sometimes described as having a “weak” chin.
Unfortunate as the wording may be, a receding chin can significantly affect the balance of the face.
Chin surgery for Danville, Walnut Creek, and other East Bay patients can add volume to the chin, reduce it, or move it forward to improve the contours of your face.
Dr. Eric Mariotti has performed many of these procedures and can help determine if chin surgery may be right for you.
Chin surgery, or mentoplasty, can bring your features into more pleasing proportions. This can be accomplished by enlarging a small or receding chin with the use of an implant or by decreasing the size of the chin to achieve better facial harmony.
The best candidate for chin augmentation is an 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.
Chin augmentation is accomplished with the use of an implant. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis under sedation and local anesthesia 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.
You will go home with a small pressure dressing over the chin. Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral pain medication. Swelling, tenderness, and possible local numbness gradually subside after a month or two. You can expect to return to your normal routine in 7 to 10 days.
The average cost of chin surgery depends on many factors, including your surgeon’s fee and additional costs such as fees for anesthesia, operating room privileges and others. For an accurate estimate of what your chin surgery will cost, schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and goals.
Choose a plastic surgeon for your chin surgery who has ample experience performing facial plastic surgeries, as these procedures require not only technical skill but also a delicate hand and an artistic eye.
Look at before and after photos of chin surgeries to help you get a better idea of what your results could look like. Then schedule a consultation with your top one or two picks to help you make a final decision.
Chin surgery, or mentoplasty, can be an appropriate solution for you if you are looking to reshape your chin with the use of an implant or reduce the size of your chin through chin reduction surgery.
Often, changing the shape or size of your chin positively affects the balance of other facial features, making most people satisfied with their results. In some cases, other facial plastic surgeries may be combined with chin surgery to achieve the desired result.
Most people who get chin surgery report that this procedure is relatively easy to recover from, with minimal discomfort that is usually easy to manage with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.
Swelling, bruising, and discomfort should gradually resolve over the several days and weeks after your procedure. Cold compresses and wearing a special compression garment can help to reduce these symptoms as well.
Many people are able to return to work within a week after getting chin surgery, although everyone’s recovery timeline will slightly vary. You will need to avoid strenuous physical activity for several weeks after your procedure, but you should be able to go about your daily routine.
You may see an immediate change in the shape or size of your chin directly after getting chin surgery. However, swelling and bruising can temporarily camouflage your results.
As your body continues to heal and adjust, you should gradually see your results developing. Most people are able to have a good idea of what their final chin surgery result will look like around 3 months after their procedure.
Chin surgery results can be very long-lasting and may never require a touch-up procedure. However, the natural aging process can change your appearance over time, which may affect your chin surgery results down the road.
Some people choose to combine a surgical procedure like chin surgery with non-surgical treatments like fillers and BOTOX® to enhance and prolong results.
