Chin augmentation is also called mentoplasty. The best candidates for the surgery are those people who have the receding chin but a normal dental bite. If the candidate has a bite dysfunction, he may need a jaw surgery in combination with mentoplasty.
Chin augmentation can significantly improve the appearance of the profile. It is able to make the nose look smaller in spite of the fact that nothing is done to the nose. Nevertheless, it is not common to perform the procedure in combination with a nose job called rhinoplasty.
It is of paramount importance to consult the surgeon before performing the procedure. The doctor conducts careful examination of the whole face, describes the kind of anesthesia which will be used, the results, a chin augmentation surgery and risks involved.
There are two procedures that are basic for chin augmentation. The first one is moving chin forward. As for the second one, it implies the use of chin implants. Chin implants are made of silicone. They are placed deep into the soft tissue. It is aimed at creating a new profile and a more attractive chin line.
As for the incisions that should be made for the operation, they can be made in two ways: under the chin and inside the mouth. In order to avoid visible scars a lot of surgeons make incisions in the mouth. But in case the patient wants to combine a facelift, when the surgeon makes the incision under the chin to make the neck muscles tighter, with a chin augmentation surgery, the under-the-chin incision is used for placing the implant.
One of the most important advantages of the procedure is that the discomfort after the procedure is next to minimal. It can be easily controlled with common oral painkillers. The patients can be up and around right on the day of the surgery. The patient follows diet of clear liquids till the end of the surgery day. After that the diet advances a regular diet. The dressing is usually removed within a few days after the surgery. As for such a common side effect as swelling, it leaves during a week. But the subtle improvement can be seen only a couple of months later. It is also possible that the patient may have some discomfort in moving the lower lip. But gradually it goes away when the swelling stops. Nevertheless it is only the patient who can notice it. It is also possible that small numb areas can be noticed around the lip and chin.
It is not recommended to perform the operation of chin augmentation until the age of 20 when the formation of the bone is considered to be complete. The procedure can be performed under the local anesthesia. The material used for the chin implants is considered to be rather safe. Moreover it resembles the tissues of the patient. That is why, it is very difficult to recognize the presence of a chin implant after the operation.