Chin Augmentation

Chin augmentation is any type of procedure that alters the appearance of the chin in order to enhance a patient’s facial profile. While features like the nose or teeth are widely recognized as defining a face, the chin is an important feature that determines the placement of the teeth, and the angles of a jawline, and provides balance to the rest of the face. Many people struggle with having a small chin that can take away from facial structure or weaken jawline strength. A small chin can also make the nose look longer than it really is. For this reason, many patients will seek chin augmentation surgery to improve the appearance of the chin. Some people naturally have a small chin, while others can lose chin projection as a result of aging.

At Tehrani Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ali Tehrani is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon offering chin implant procedures and bony osteotomies for more extensive cases.

We offer consultations at any of our three convenient locations in La Jolla, Apple Valley, and Newport Beach. Call (760) 240-2444 for our La Jolla and Apple Valley offices, and (949) 867-6806 for our Newport Beach office. You can also fill out our contact form with any inquiries and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

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About Chin Augmentation

At Tehrani Plastic Surgery, we offer both chin implants and bony osteotomies. Both of these surgical procedures have the same goal of enhancing the chin, but they differ in the ways they accomplish this feat; the chin implant uses a specially shaped implant, while the bony osteotomy brings the bone of the chin forward. ⁽¹⁾ If you are unsure what type of chin augmentation will be most effective for your situation, Dr. Tehrani will help you decide after a thorough examination period. Ultimately, the procedure that will be most fitting for you will be determined by your goals, facial structure, age, skin, and other factors.

Chin Implant

A chin implant is a procedure that will secure an implant onto the front of the chin, below the skin. ⁽¹⁾ This can make the chin appear more projected and in line with the rest of the face. Chin implants can be made out of different synthetic materials, such as Silastic (solid silicone) and porous polythene. Both of these materials have their own traits that can contribute to the look and feel of the chin. While Silastic is more easily contoured, porous polythene can encourage the growth of surrounding tissues. ⁽¹⁾ Dr. Tehrani will select the implant that is most suitable for your face. These implants can come in different shapes and sizes that can correspond to your chin position. ⁽²⁾ In some situations, implants can reach beyond the chin to contour more of the jaw as well. ⁽²⁾

Bony Osteotomy

A bony osteotomy, also known as an osseous genioplasty, is another effective method for enhancing the chin. Instead of using a synthetic implant, a bony osteotomy will move the chin bone itself forward. ⁽²⁾ This brings both the chin and soft tissues forward, providing the facial profile with a natural, more balanced appearance. A bony osteotomy is a good alternative to a chin implant when the patient has a long chin; if we were to put an implant into a chin with a long height, it would result in an unnatural appearance. ⁽²⁾ For chins that would benefit from being made longer or shorter, a bony osteotomy could be the right fit.

Benefits of Chin Augmentation

The specific benefits of chin implants and bony osteotomies can vary. Generally, chin augmentation can:

Candidates

If you are looking to improve the appearance or placement of your chin, you may be a good candidate for chin augmentation. Some specific traits that contribute to good candidacy for chin augmentation include:

It is better to wait until the chin and jaw are done growing before considering chin augmentation in most cases. ⁽²⁾ If you have experienced a rejection of implants in the past, a chin implant might not be recommended for you. ⁽¹⁾ While smoking does not exclude anyone from receiving a chin augmentation, it can slow the body’s healing process. ⁽¹⁾

Personal Consultation

To begin the chin augmentation process, you will need to schedule an informative personal consultation with Dr. Tehrani, during which he will assess your facial structure and hear your concerns about your chin. With your goals in mind, Dr. Tehrani will walk you through the chin augmentation preparation period, facial evaluations, and what will happen during the procedure. It is also at this time that Dr. Tehrani will recommend either a chin implant or a bony osteotomy. To schedule your consultation at Tehrani Plastic Surgery, call:

You are also welcome to request a virtual consultation by filling out our contact form.

Preparation

Chin augmentation requires a precise and comprehensive preparation period. Dr. Tehrani will look at multiple factors before approaching the procedure; He will consider the positioning of the teeth, jaw, soft tissues, facial proportions, and facial symmetry. ⁽²⁾ Based on his findings, Dr. Tehran will prepare a treatment plan unique to your facial structure that aligns as closely as possible with your goals.

In addition to this evaluation, there are ways you can prepare on your own for the procedure, which will be relayed to you in more detail by Dr. Tehrani during your consultation. You will need to get labs done and avoid taking medications that have blood-thinning qualities, like aspirin. If applicable, we will also recommend that you stop smoking and drinking alcohol before your procedure.

Procedure

The procedures for chin augmentation through chin implant and bony osteotomy are quite different. For chin implants, Dr. Tehrani will make a small incision either underneath the chin or inside the mouth. ⁽¹⁾ A sterile implant, similar to the feel of a normal chin, is placed in front of the bone to increase the projection of the chin. Finally, the implant is secured and the incision is sutured closed.

As for bony osteotomies, Dr. Tehrani will make a small incision inside the mouth to move a segment of the chin forward. ⁽²⁾ A part of the chin will be moved and secured into the new desired position. ⁽²⁾ The angle that the chin bone is positioned at will look different between patients and will correspond with whether the chin needs to be lengthened or shortened. ⁽²⁾

Dr. Tehran can also contour irregularities with a small tool during this procedure. The incisions are then closed with sutures. ⁽²⁾

Recovery

Chin augmentation recovery time is typically short, spanning only 3-5 days for most patients. ⁽¹⁾ Some swelling and bruising during and after this time period is expected and normal, but will usually subside within the first 2 weeks after the procedure. ⁽¹⁾ This length of time depends on the patient and the size of the implant. ⁽¹⁾ Dr. Tehrani may provide you with an elastic bandage and will recommend that it be used for a period of time. If you experience any mild discomfort in the chin area, this can usually be remedied by over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen. However, if necessary, Dr. Tehrani can prescribe medications. You should also take the suggested antibiotics for 5-7 days after the surgery. ⁽¹⁾ You will schedule a follow-up visit with Dr. Tehrani about 1 week after your surgery, where we will check on your progress and take out your sutures. ⁽¹⁾

Results

After the healing of the implant method, the skin of the face will drape smoothly over the implant. The implants themselves will conform to the bone and are usually undetectable. Results will appear natural and subtle, yet will provide the face with structure and attractive balance. Patients who have undergone the bony osteotomy will enjoy similarly natural-looking results, with a more projected chin that creates a strengthened profile. The results from chin augmentation will be permanent, meaning there is usually no need for return visits in the future.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Fat Transfer for Face

Fat transfer for the face is a procedure that involves using liposuction in order to remove fat from other parts of the body and re-inject it into the face to increase facial volume and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Similar to the chin area, the appearance of the rest of the face can be impacted by age-related volume loss or sagging. Fat transfer for the face results in a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance while maintaining a natural look. For this procedure, patients will need to have enough fat in donor areas or the areas where the fat will be transferred from. The contouring effect of fat transfer for the face would complement a chin augmentation, which also increases definition in the lower face.

Face Lift

A facelift is a comprehensive surgical procedure that enhances different areas of the face and improves the effects of aging, like sagging and wrinkles. Because chin position can change over time, it is possible that a patient who is seeking a chin augmentation is experiencing sagging facial skin as well. A facelift can complement a chin augmentation by removing this excess skin from different areas and creating tighter, smoother facial skin. A facelift can also tighten the muscles beneath the skin. At Tehrani Plastic Surgery, we offer both a mini facelift and an extended facelift.

Cost of Chin Augmentation in San Diego

The cost of chin augmentation depends on the type of chin augmentation that will be most effective in enhancing your appearance. Bony osteotomy is generally a more involved procedure, and the cost may reflect this fact. The cost will also be impacted by the current condition of your chin and the extent to which it can be improved. In any case, you will receive a personalized quote during your personal consultation with Dr. Tehrani. At Tehrani Plastic Surgery, we also accept financing through companies like CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit.

References

1. Harris WC, Raggio BS. Facial Chin Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554506/
2. Lee E. Aesthetic Alteration of the Chin. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2013;27(03):155-160. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1357113