A strong chin signifies self-assurance, virility, and attractiveness in a male. A moderate, proportionate chin signifies beauty in a woman. Silicone chin implants can help achieve those goals in men and women with small, retracted, or asymmetric chins. Making the chin more prominent can greatly enhance the profile of the face and neck and bring balance to the face.
A chin augmentation will strengthen your profile by making a weak chin more prominent. As an added benefit, chin augmentation can have a surprisingly positive impact on the appearance of your nose.
Initial Consultation
At your initial consultation with Dr. McMenamin, it is important to express your goals in improving your facial profile. He will be able to determine what is possible to achieve and show you pre and post operative results in other patients. He will also discuss the two approaches of this surgery, what the expected recovery will entail, and the cost of the procedure. Dr. McMenamin will recommend which approach will best achieve your goals and he will explain the pros and cons of each approach.
The Procedure
The first approach is through an incision made inside the mouth through the soft tissue at the base of the anterior lower teeth. This approach is used most frequently in those patients who have enough skin under their chin to stretch freely over the implant and who do not have excess fat under their chins. The scar is in the inside of the mouth where it is not visible to others. When the chin implant is inserted, it is held into place with a single surgical screw into the chin bone. Absorbable suture is used to close the wound inside the mouth. Mouth rinses with salt water will be used for incisions inside the mouth. This helps to keep the stitches clean and promote healing.
The second approach uses an incision under the chin (submental) area, to gain access to the chin and neck. This incision allows the surgeon to sculpt the area under the chin and to free tissue required to stretch over the implant. This approach does involve an incision on the outside of the mouth under the chin. Over time, this incision becomes nearly invisible as it fades. Again, the chin implant is held into place with a single surgical screw. Sutures are used to close the wound and the skin sutures are removed about 8 days after surgery.
Risks of Surgery
Facial implants can produce some remarkable changes and problems rarely occur, but as with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks. While the following doesn’t cover all risks, it will give you an idea of the more common ones:
A facial implant can shift slightly out of alignment and a second operation may be necessary to replace it in its proper position.
Infection can occur with any operation. If infection were to occur around a facial implant and did not clear up after treatment with antibiotics, the implant might have to be temporarily removed and replaced at a later time.
Any incision on the body can form an unpleasing scar that may require revision or other treatments to improve.
Bone resorption under the chin implant over time.
No guarantees can be made regarding your satisfaction with this procedure. However, the thorough explanation of what you can expect for results before undergoing this procedure minimizes dissatisfaction.
Dr. McMenamin will review the risks and benefits of this procedure thoroughly at your pre operative consultations.
Silicone Implant Safety
The chin implants used are made of solid silicone manufactured in numerous sizes and shapes. Many studies have been completed over the safety of silicone implants. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that this is a harmful substance. Also, the metal screw used to hold the implant in place has been used safely in the body for many years.
Where is the procedure done?
This procedure is done in our accredited operating room under local anesthesia and either oral or IV sedation and vital sign monitoring. At the completion of surgery, regardless of the approach, your head will be wrapped with gauze to apply gentle pressure over the chin and neck to help prevent a blood collection (hematoma) under the skin. Your vital signs, pulse, blood pressure, heart tracing, and blood oxygen levels are monitored until it is determined you are stable to go home.
Recovery
Recovery after a chin augmentation, regardless of where the incision is, involves keeping the head elevated for several days. Elevation of the head to at least a 65 degree angle, even to sleep, (as in a recliner chair) will help decrease the amount of swelling. Ice packs applied for about 20 minutes out of the hour for the first few days will help with swelling, too. The less swelling you have, the less discomfort you will have.
Bruising is a usual side effect to any surgery and in a chin augmentation it can be very minimal to diffuse. You be asked to refrain from all medications containing aspirin, anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Aleve, Excedrin, etc.), tobacco products, vitamins, herbal supplements, and alcohol for the two weeks before and after surgery. Your prescription medications will be reviewed prior to surgery also. This will minimize bruising as well as your risk for bleeding.
At the first post-op visit, the gauze bandage will be removed so the surgical site can be examined. You will then be rewrapped in a new gauze bandage or be changed into an elastic facial garment or elastic wrap. Some numbness is expected in the chin area and temporary discomfort may persist for several days. Both will improve slowly over time.
You will be sent home from the office with antibiotics to prevent an infection and narcotic pain medication. However, most of our patients need only Tylenol after this procedure.
The Results
Because of swelling and bruising, you may not be able to assess the final results for several weeks and even months. However, results will be subtle to dramatic depending on the procedure planning and patient wishes. Don’t be surprised if most people don’t recognize that you’ve had something done. For most patients, the goal is to look better without looking too different or unnatural.
Please call our office if you have any questions or would like to set up a consultation with Dr. McMenamin. (916) 564-8888
