Chin augmentation is a type of cosmetic surgery that reshapes the chin through the placement of an implant. This type of surgery is popular with those who are unsatisfied with the size or shape of their chin, as well as those who would like to balance out a larger nose. Chin augmentation provides a permanent solution for those looking for a simple way to enhance the appearance of their face.
Table of Contents
Benefits & Best Candidates
To make a good candidate for a chin augmentation procedure, you need to be in good overall health. It is also important that you do not smoke. Smoking tobacco products increases your risk of developing scars and hinders your body’s natural ability to heal and recover.
Persons most likely to benefit from chin augmentation are patients whose chin and lower face are:
- Excessively narrow or disproportionately short
- Chin with a sunken-in appearance
- Overly small chin that doesn’t harmonize with other facial features
- Upper lip protrudes and chin sits back toward the neck
- No significant distinction between the chin and neck, making both appear to blend together
What are Chin Implants Made Of?
Most chin implants are made from a pliable material like silicone or latex. The implant would normally rest upon the chin bone, with its wings reaching out from the chin to the jawline.
Since chin implants are pliable, your plastic surgeon can insert your implant through a very small incision to help minimize scars. The pliability of chin implants allows them to be removed for a revision without any significant side effects.
The exact type of material that your chin implant will be made from can be determined by your plastic surgeon after they have examined you during a consultation.
Procedure
To perform a chin implant procedure, two incision types are normally used: internal or external. The external type of incision is placed just under the chin. The surgeon creates a pocket to secure the chin implant. They then close it with stitches that can be removed in about one week.
Internal incisions are normally placed within the mouth at the lower lip base, which does not normally leave any visible scar. The only downside is that the presence of saliva results in a slightly higher risk of complications.
Scars that develop after chin augmentation are typically very minor and less prominent than other types of scars because of the small size of the incision. Even though the actual implant may be large, it is flexible and can fit through a tiny incision.
A chin augmentation procedure can take as little as 30 minutes to perform, although a more typical surgery time is about one hour. If a patient is also undergoing additional cosmetic procedures, the time of the surgery will increase accordingly.
Recovery Timeline
Recovering from a chin implant procedure is fairly straightforward and faster than most other types of cosmetic procedures because it is minimally invasive, since only a small incision is needed.
First Three Days
Following your chin implant procedure, a dressing, tape, or chin guard will be in place to secure your implant. This will need to be worn for up to three days. Most patients have incisions that are biodegradable, meaning that your body will absorb them in about three days. Otherwise, your surgeon may remove it, along with the chin support, after three days.
Seven to Ten Days
It is normal to experience some minor discomfort and swelling after chin implant surgery. Your chin may feel somewhat stretched until the skin in the area adapts to the presence of your new implant.
You will be provided with pain relievers and antibiotics to relieve pain and prevent infection. Most people who have undergone chin augmentation are able to return to work in seven to 10 days.
Cost
The cost of a chin implant can range anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. The total cost of your individual chin augmentation procedure can vary, depending upon the individual plastic surgeon performing your procedure, your geographical area, and other factors.
The cost of a chin implant procedure is not normally covered by insurance since it is considered to be a purely cosmetic procedure.
