CHIN IMPLANT (Mentoplasty)

You Are a Candidate if:

•	You have a ‘weak’ chin, or a small-appearing jaw line.
•	You have a strong, large nose that overbalances your face, making the chin seem small by comparison.

Intended Result

•	A stronger, more pleasing appearance in the chin contour.
•	Better balance with the nose and cheeks.
•	A better profile and definition of the angle of the jaw and neck.

Procedure

•	The procedure can be done under local anesthesia or using I.V. Sedation (twilight sleep) in our AAAASF certified surgical facility.
•	The surgery takes about one hour.
•	A small incision is placed under the chin in the crease, or in the trough inside the lower lip.
•	The procedure involves making a space over the lower bone edge, then inserting the implant and closing the incision.
•	A light dressing may be required for a week or so.
•	Mentoplasty is often combined with other plastic surgical procedures, most often of the nose.

Recuperation and Healing

•	There is only minimal discomfort that is generally gone by the second or third day and easily controlled with medication.
•	Swelling is mild and usually disappears rapidly over the next two to three weeks. Minimal or no bruising is the norm.
•	You may resume non-physical activities within the first week, and usually return to your regular activities by six weeks. Brushing of teeth and chewy foods may be restricted initially after your surgery.

Other Options

•	More aggressive options are available for more dramatic chin deficiencies and involve repositioning of the bone of the chin to provide a more extreme correction.
•	Sagging of the chin, if not significant, can sometimes be addressed by removing tissue only.

Surgeon’s Note

•	The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of a consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.