Chin augmentation, using chin implants or fillers, plays a crucial role in facial aesthetics. Here in Toronto, chin augmentation can be a procedure on its own–or can be combined with other procedures such as a rhinoplasty, a neck lift, a facelift, or any other plastic surgery procedure for the face or body.
The shape, size, height, and width of the chin are important in the overall facial shape, gender identification, and for harmonizing the nose and chin.
Chin implants are made of solid but ultra-soft and pliable silicone (like our body implants: Pectoral implant, calf implant, buttock implant and hip implant). Chin implants can also be made of pTEFE–p-tetra-fluoro-ethylene–which favours controlled tissue integration with its micropores. The micropores encourage the anchoring of the implant and provide a predictable surgical outcome. On the other end, it may make it more technically difficult to remove, should removal be required.
Chin implants are inert and biocompatible. They are commonly inserted via a small under-the-chin incision and placed over the bone and under the facial muscle, called mentalis. This is the same incision used in neck lift and facelift when performing the anterior platysmaplasty. Oral incisions can sometimes be used, often when bone shaving is required. Implants are bathed in antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. Chin implants are secured in the midline with sutures (the same applies to temple implants) or occasionally a screw (screws are more common for cheek implants, tear trough implants, and jaw angle implants).
The superiority of chin implants over the more complex “horizontal advancement osteotomy genioplasty” has been demonstrated in the oromaxillofacial literature. Chin augmentation with implants has a much lower incidence of infection, palpability and nerve injury. Chin implant surgery is also a shorter procedure (under 1 hour) and can be done under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia–the latter being the most comfortable option.
What can a chin implant do?
1. Increase the projection of the chin
2. Increase the vertical height of the chin, and therefore vertical height of the face
3. Make a chin and face look more masculine, or “square”
4. Chin implants can make a chin and face look more feminine (rounder or more oval)
5. Tighten up the neck skin after aging or weight loss
6. Reduce the look of jowls
7. Prolong the rejuvenating effects of a facelift
Who benefits from chin augmentation with a chin implant?
1. Patients with a small or weak chin, a condition called microgenia or chin retrusion
2. Patients with a very prominent nose–adding projection to the chin will bring harmony in their profile
3. Older patients who have lost some bone and muscle mass over the chin with aging and who are undergoing a facelift or a neck lift, since I use the same incision
4. Any patients with early jowls, as the extended chin implants will camouflage the jowls by augmenting the pre-jowl depression
5. Patients with some neck skin laxity, as an implant can help tighten skin
6. Male patients who want a more assertive, commanding, and masculine “alpha” look
7. Patients with round faces who want to add some verticality to their face, often in combination with a buccal fat pad removal (bichectomy)
8. FTM Transgender patients who require a stronger, more square chin
9. MTF transgender patients who require a more oval lower face, often combined with a decrease in projection (a chin implant to increase vertical height and some bone shaving to reduce projection)
10. Patients with asymmetrical chin
Here are all the 13 different models of chin implants (Implantech) I can chose from, all of which come in extra small, small, medium, large and extra large, so a vast selection for all faces.
13 different models of chin implants
Cost varies depending on the type of anesthesia, the complexity of the procedures, and any other procedures often performed at the same time.
Recovery for chin augmentation alone is simple. Tenderness is minimal, stitches are few. They’re typically in place for between 6 and 8 days. Wearing a slight compression dressing for a few days help with the swelling. Bruising is rare, and most people resume work within one week after suture removal.
There is an art in facial assessment and techniques so make sure to seek a Royal College-certified plastic surgeon as we have training in both aesthetics and craniofacial surgery.
Dr. Marc DuPéré, aesthetic plastic surgeon
