Chin surgery, also known as mentoplasty, is a surgical procedure to restore the balance of face due to a weak chin (under-projection) or a strong chin (over-projection). The size of the chin may magnify or minimize the nose, so patients often get the rhinoplasty and chin surgery at the same time to achieve facial proportion. A weak or small chin can make the nose appear larger and results in a poor jaw/neckline, causing the skin to hang from the upper neck. A large protruding chin can be reduced with reduction surgery on the bone.
If you are considering chin surgery, we want you to be thoroughly informed about the procedure. Below is some helpful information. A personal consultation with Dr Newen is the best way to obtain the additional information you will need.
Am I a good candidate for chin surgery?
Chin surgery is performed on adults of all ages. Chin surgery can reshape the face, making it longer and defined. For patients with large protruding chins, it can make smaller and refined. You may be a good candidate for chin surgery if you have a desire to change your chin profile.
Your personal consultation
During the consultation you will be asked about the results you expect to achieve from chin surgery. This will help Dr. Newen understand your expectations anddetermine whether they can realistically be achieved.
How will Dr. Newen evaluate me for chin surgery?
You should be prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries, any breathing problems you may have, and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.
How is chin surgery performed?
Chin surgery is usually done under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, but can be done under general anesthesia if requested.
The chin augmentation is performed with a sterile, biologically inert implant which is placed over the bone of the lower jaw. A wide range of chin implants are available, depending on the patient’s needs and goals. These implants vary in their dimensions and are made of different materials. Dr. Newen will select the correct size and type of implant for you after he has discussed with you the look you want to achieve. The chin implant is secured by creating a well-fitted pocket for it, and anchoring it to the surrounding tissue so it doesn’t move.
Chin reduction surgery involves cutting the bone or shaving it down to reduce the size of the chin.
Chin surgery involves very minimal scarring. If the incision is made below the chin, it will be done in a natural fold of the skin or in a manner that will make the scar inconspicuous. If the incision is made inside the mouth, no external scar will be visible at all. In any case, the scar will not be visible in typical social encounters.
Understanding risks
Significant complications from chin surgery are very rare. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks. The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis during your consultation with Dr. Newen. After surgery, there may be a temporary feeling of altered sensation in the chin and lower jaw, numbness, pain, swelling, and bruising. The types of symptoms experienced and the duration of the symptoms vary in patients.
Your surgical experience
Our goal is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible. If you’re a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. You will be provided with complete preoperative and postoperative instructions. Most adults can go back to work the next day after surgery. If your implant was placed through an incision beneath your chin, the sutures (if they are not self dissolving) will be removed after 5–10 days. If your chin augmentation was performed through the mouth, you will be on a liquid or soft-foods diet for a few days while your mucosal skin heals. You will rinse your mouth out regularly to keep the incision clean. The sutures will dissolve on their own over the course of a few weeks. You will experience an odd sensation in your chin for a time while your nerves return to their normal function.
Chin surgery is performed at Huntington Surgery Center, our outpatient surgery facility located within The Image Center. Please be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your procedure and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
For more information
For more information on chin augmentation or to schedule a consultation, please call our office at (714) 230-2430.
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