Chin Implants
A well-defined jawline is essential to a symmetrical, balanced face for both men and women. Chin implants can help achieve a desired look while making patients look younger and more slender. At Spectrum Plastic Surgery, chin implants are also often included as a complement to other procedures such as a facelift, FaceTite, and liposuction beneath the chin and along the jawline. Also known as chin augmentation or genioplasty, this procedure is known to increase self-esteem and can dramatically improve the facial profile.
Chin implants can be made with silicone or plastic. In some cases, fat may be also harvested from another part of the body and grafted to the chin area. However, silicone and plastic implants are the most popular choices. During the surgery, an implant is placed around the existing chin bone to enhance the shape and size of the chin. It is a permanent solution for a chin that is weak or recessed, and results are immediate.
The benefits of a chin implant include:
Looking younger, healthier, and more slender
Improving and defining the jawline
Enjoying immediate and permanent results
Complementing other procedures such as liposuction or a facelift
Chin Implant Details
A “weak” chin is often hereditary and not necessarily correlated to excess weight. Everyone’s face is asymmetrical to some degree, but when a recessed chin makes a face look disproportionate, chin implants can help increase confidence and improve aesthetics. This procedure aids facial harmony and can permanently remove the suggestion of a double chin. One of the most important decisions to consider with chin augmentation is who will perform your procedure. It’s important to choose a plastic surgeon who has performed many chin augmentations during their career and who can tell you exactly what the results will look like.
Spectrum Plastic Surgery is one of the few practices with the Vectra 3D Imaging System. This technology uses your real photo so the surgeon can create simulated after photos. Patients can see what their results will look like before their procedure and can even help to further customize results. The Vectra 3D Imaging technology takes the guesswork out of results and patients enjoy peace of mind knowing exactly what they can expect.
Chin Implant Details
A “weak” chin is often hereditary and not necessarily correlated to excess weight. Everyone’s face is asymmetrical to some degree, but when a recessed chin makes a face look disproportionate, chin implants can help increase confidence and improve aesthetics. This procedure aids facial harmony and can permanently remove the suggestion of a double chin. One of the most important decisions to consider with chin augmentation is who will perform your procedure. It’s important to choose a plastic surgeon who has performed many chin augmentations during their career and who can tell you exactly what the results will look like.
Spectrum Plastic Surgery is one of the few practices with the Vectra 3D Imaging System. This technology uses your real photo so the surgeon can create simulated after photos. Patients can see what their results will look like before their procedure and can even help to further customize results. The Vectra 3D Imaging technology takes the guesswork out of results and patients enjoy peace of mind knowing exactly what they can expect.
What Happens During Chin Augmentation?
Chin implants are an outpatient procedure using either general or local anesthesia. The chin implant itself is a small, solid item created with a biocompatible material like silicone. It is customized for each patient and can vary in size and color. During the procedure, a very small incision is made below the chin and inside of the mouth. This allows for the placement of the chin implant around the bone. Most chin augmentation procedures take less than one hour, but this time would be extended for those combining a chin implant with other procedures. Sutures are used to close the incision and the chin is bandaged for recovery.
A chin implant looks and feels just like your natural chin bone. Even when someone touches a healed chin implant, they will not be able to tell that it isn’t a “real” chin bone. The downtime related to a chin implant is relatively low, with most patients returning to the majority of their daily tasks after one week of recovery. Discomfort during the initial healing process is minimal and can be relieved with over the counter medications and cold compresses.
Patients must sleep with their head elevated and facing up, for up to two weeks after chin augmentation surgery. This position helps to protect incisions and reduce swelling. A liquid-only diet may be recommended for up to two days after the procedure depending on the patient. Strenuous activity, such as exercise, is usually resumed 3 – 4 weeks after the chin augmentation. Your surgeon will provide you with a personalized recovery plan based on your health, whether or not chin augmentation will be combined with other treatments, and your lifestyle. Full results appear 1 – 3 months after the procedure, when all swelling has subsided.
Although a chin implant is not as invasive as other facial plastic procedures, it is still important for patients to have someone they trust to take them to and from appointments. It can be beneficial to have someone stay with the patient for a day or two after their chin augmentation procedure. However, most patients quickly resume most of their normal activities.
A New Chin for Life
Chin implants are durable, strong, and designed to last a lifetime. The continued aging process will naturally affect the face, but the contour of the chin will not change after a chin augmentation surgery. The risks associated with a chin implant are very scarce, and you can further minimize any risks by selecting a plastic surgeon who is board certified and who has performed numerous chin implant procedures such as the providers at Spectrum Plastic Surgery.