Chin Augmentation Chicago | Chicago Facial Implants

What is chin augmentation?

Chin augmentation is used to increase projection of the chin with an implant.

What materials are used in chin augmentation?

Several materials can be used including Silicone, Mersilene mesh, and Gore-tex. Silicone is my material of choice for several reasons. First of all, silicone is solid state substance which is quite differnet from injectable silicon or silicone implants.While injectable implants and silicone breast implants have the potential to leak, silicone chin implants do not. Silicone implants have an excellent track record of safety when used in chin augmentation.

How can I tell if I need a chin implant?

Your lateral view is the view where a weak chin will most likely show up. A weak chin may make a nose look bigger than it should and create an over all sense of facial weakness.

Is there anything I should be aware of before I have an implant?

You should notice any asymmetries of your face. Almost all patients will have a chin asymmetry. Some surgeons just place an implant in irregardless of preoperative irregularity. This may accentuate asymmetry. I prefer to customize each implant to the patient but augmenting or reducing portions to help better balance the chin. Patients may still have asymmetry postoperatively but it should be improved.

Your dental occlusion or bite is also important. If you have significant occlusion problems, alteration of your mandible may be a better choice.

What are some complications of chin implantation?

Most commonly is implantation shift can occur. The implant can be repositioned to improve the shift. Infection of chin implants is rare but can occur. Scarring can also occur extenrally

What are the approaches to placing a chin implant?

A chin implant can be placed orally or externally. The intraoral approach has the advantage of avoiding an external scar. However, the implant can become infected due to traversing the oral cavity which is laden with bacteria. Several studies have not shown a difference in rates of infection between implants placed externally and intraorally. Intraoral implants tend to rise superiorly due to the difficulty in creating a pocket laterally and fixating the implant in the midline.

External approach has the advantage of placing the implant through a sterile technique. The implant is more readily fixed in the midline and shift of the implant is decreased. The main disadvantage is that an external scar is made. However, meticulous closure will often times minimize visibility of this scar. In addition, the location of the scar is a place where very few people will be able to see.

My approach is to tailor the approach to the patient. Some patients request an intraoral approach and I will typically comply unless they have significant chin asymmetry or require a large chin implant.

How long will the recovery period be?

Sutures are removed at one week after surgery. Usually at that time the patient will have some swelling but will be able to return to public viewing without difficulty.