Chin Implants

Chin surgery, also known as mentoplasty, is a surgical procedure to reshape and enhance the appearance of the chin and give it a natural balance with your face. Many times a plastic surgeon may recommend chin surgery to a patient having nose surgery (rhinoplasty) to achieve facial proportion, as the size of the chin may magnify or minimize the perceived size of the nose. Chin surgery helps balance your facial features so that you feel better about the way you look!

About

Should I Get a Chin Implant? If you are bothered by a small chin, a receding chin, a weak jaw, or lack of facial contour, the answer is YES! Chin implants can increase the size and projection of a chin that is not in proportion with your forehead, nose or mid-face.  A small or recessed chin can also be described as one that seems to disappear into the neck of an individual of normal weight, rather than appearing as a distinct facial feature.  A Chin Implant can enhance the appearance of a man’s or a woman’s face.

Candidates

The best candidates for Chin Implants are men and women who are healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Young people are more likely to be concerned about receding chins that recede into the neck.  We recommend, however, that they reach physical maturity before they consider a Chin Implant because at a younger age their bones may still be growing.

Consultation

Call (726) 227-6847to make an appointment for a consultation.  Dr. Koneru will review your medical history and discuss your concerns, goals and expectations for this surgery. He will analyze your chin and bone structure and make recommendations for the best possible outcome.

Procedure

Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, Dr. Koneru selects the proper size and shape implant to enhance your appearance and inserts it into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The small incision to create the pocket and insert the implant is placed in the skin just under the chin area.

When performing a chin implant, Dr. Koneru prefers the Medpor® implant.  This implant can be carved and trimmed to fit each patient’s features.  It is usually screwed into the chin using one or two small screws so that it does not move.  The porosity of the implant allows tissue to adhere to the implant to ensure a more natural look than other implants.

Recently, however, Dr. Koneru has been using Fat Grafting for Chin Augmentation.  He usually harvests the fat from the love handles or abdomen.  This fat is processed to remove excess fluid.  Then, the refined fat is injected in layers into the soft tissue of the chin.  Fat Grafting of the Chin has worked well to yield a natural-appearing chin with little downtime.  Most patients resume their normal activities within one week without significant bruising or swelling.

The newest addition to our chin-altering toolbox is Renuva.  This material is like a filler, but it works to increase the fat in the area giving you a fuller, more natural-appearing profile.

Recovery

Normally, the chin is taped or wrapped after surgery to minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures in the skin will be removed in five to seven days. You will experience some discomfort and swelling in the affected area for several days. It is normal to experience some temporary difficulty with smiling and talking. Bruising may be visible around the chin and neck for up to 2 weeks after the procedure.

Before you leave the surgery center, Dr. Koneru’s staff will provide you with instructions about dental hygiene, eating and any restrictions to your activities after surgery.  Also, he will prescribe medication to control discomfort, and you should be able to return to work or school within a week.

Results

The results of a Chin Implant can:

• Give your chin a more defined appearance.
• Provide your face with a better profile and silhouette.
• Improve the definition between your chin and your neck.
• Boost self-confidence because you will look and feel better!