Chin Augmentation

Helping Patients Achieve A Defined & Balanced Profile

The chin is the most important aesthetic feature of the lower face. Together with the nose, it determines the shape and profile of the entire face. As we age, bone density diminishes, and soft facial tissue support weakens. This causes the jaw to recede. This creates the appearance of a smaller, or’ weak’ chin. A weak chin can make the nose and upper teeth seem more prominent, and the jaw and neckline appear undefined. But, chin augmentation surgery is a way to remedy these problems. Chin implants increase or change the size and projection of the chin.

We provide chin implants, also referred to as chin augmentations or mentoplasty. Dr. Gabbay performs these procedures to strengthen the chin and jowl line. Chin implants offer patients symmetry and proportion to the rest of their face. Results often create a defined jawline from the profile and frontal view.

Chin implants have become popular because they offer predictable and permanent results. They maintain their shape; they perfect patients’ profiles while maintaining a natural appearance. Additionally, they restore symmetry and balance to the face.

Patients seek Dr. Gabbay’s, Plastic Surgeon Beverly Hills, surgical expertise for undergoing chin augmentations. His years of extensive training and experience enable him to assess each patient’s needs. He often rectifies the problems from previous surgeries. The doctor’s goal is to ensure each of his patients’ aesthetic goals come to fruition.

Dr. Gabbay's Chin Augmentation
Before & Afters

Enhance Your Facial Features with a Single Procedure

ecent technological advances enable plastic surgeons to use new, safer materials. As a result, the safety of the chin augmentation procedure has improved. A small or receding chin (microgenia) is compatible with a wide variety of implant options. Dr. Gabbay will work with you to find the implant option that will best meet your needs.

Just as faces come in a variety of shapes and sizes, chin implants come in several pre-formed styles. Each implant is available in several sizes, thicknesses, and projections. After measuring the dimensions of your mandibular bone, he will select the perfect implant to match the contour of your chin. He can make any adjustments necessary to ensure your every aesthetic goal comes true.

The chin implant operation takes approximately 30-45 minutes. The doctor performs chin augmentation surgery on an outpatient basis. Dr. Gabbay may use general anesthesia or a combination of local anesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation.

Mentoplasty incisions are typically placed either inside your mouth at the intersection of your gum and lower lip, or under your chin in a natural crease line. Sutures will help close your incisions while bandages aid in protection. Some stitches will dissolve on their own after a few weeks. Dr. Gabbay may need to remove others during your follow-up visit.

After your procedure, have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours. If the incisions are in your mouth, you will be restricted to a soft diet for a few days following surgery. You will need to rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating to keep the incision and sutures clean.

If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.

- ANATOLE FRANCE

Is Chin Augmentation Right for You?

One way to assess whether you have an unbalanced chin is to view your profile in a mirror. Draw an invisible line directly down from your upper lip to lower lip. If your chin falls behind the line, it is a sign of a receding chin. You may be a suitable candidate for chin augmentation surgery in Beverly Hills.

Chin implant surgery is performed on both male and female patients, and can be undertaken to correct:

A chin that appears too small for the face
A chin that has lost definition due to the natural aging process
Asymmetry of the jawline
Jawline irregularity caused by congenital defects or trauma/injury
Fatty deposits under the chin
Inadequate bony support in the chin, preventing the soft tissues of the neck from draping smoothly
The appearance of a double chin
The imbalance between the upper and lower facial areas
Premature aging of the lower face and neck

Chin clefts result from the soft facial tissue and are not a function of the bone itself. A cleft may remain even after a chin implant. For cleft removal, Dr. Gabbay may use a fat grafting procedure to soften chin contours.

During your chin implant consultation, Dr. Gabbay may take a series of x-rays. He will look for any dental or bony pathology that may affect the surgical outcome. He will then take measurements to determine the degree of chin projection. This will reveal possible asymmetries. He uses digital imaging analysis to establish the degree of desired projection of your facial shape, size, and gender.

After digital imaging analysis is complete, Dr. Gabbay will discuss his implant recommendations. This depends on your unique facial structure and aesthetic preferences. He uses advanced materials and state-of-the-art placement techniques.

About the Procedure

Modern-day chin implants are generally created using non-biologic (alloplastic) materials with high biocompatibility. These include silicone, Gortex, or high-density porous polyethylene (Medpor). Gortex and silicone are two of the most common implants. Research has proven that they achieve optimal re-contouring results. Medpor implants may be the better choice for large implants because Medpore has a porous texture. This allows for tissue growth and prevents shifting of the implant.

Chin implant options include:

Central Chin Implants: offered in the original chin implant shape and provide various degrees of chin projection.
Anatomical Chin Implants: provide chin augmentation in conjunction with mild to moderate contouring of the front part of the jaw. Two wings positioned at 45-degree angles allow the implant to contour to the front portion of the mandibular bone, which provides better stability and smoother lines.
Extended Anatomical Chin Implants: the anatomical implant’s wings are extended in length to provide further enhancement of the jawline, and to create a more angular or square jawline structure. The wings taper along the lower mandibular ridge in a “wrap-around” design for better restoration of the mandibular buttress, and can also be used to correct the appearance of jowls.
Mandibular Implants: used to augment the angle of the jaw and to increase the width and jawline definition. This type of implant is often used in conjunction with anatomical implants to facilitate a complete re-contouring of the jawline structure.
Custom Implants: For reconstructive chin surgery, a patient’s CT scan can be used to design a customized three-dimensional implant (custom implant) to correct any mandibular defects or asymmetries.

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Chin Augmentation Surgery

The chin implant can be inserted either through your mouth or below your chin. During your chin augmentation, Dr. Gabbay will make an incision and design a pocket to accommodate the implant directly over the bone along your lower jaw. Solid silicone implants can be placed through a small incision under the chin. However, with other rigid materials (i.e., Medpor), he makes an incision inside your mouth.

When using a silicone-based implant, the implant does not need to be fixed to the bone. Dr. Gabbay secures it within the narrow by the bone. For surgeries using polyethylene implants, fixation of the implant to the jawbone is often required. This ensures stability and allows refinement of the implant shape. It also prevents displacement and eliminates any gaps between the implant and jawbone.

When surgery is complete, he will close your incision and apply tape to your skin. After two weeks, the implant will be in its permanent position and stable. For incisions made inside your mouth, no external scar will be visible. Incision sites under the chin will heal quickly and become inconspicuous.

Complementary Procedures

If your goal is to improve facial symmetry and structure, combing two procedures may be in your best interest. Rhinoplasty, facelifts, and neck lifts are three of the most common procedures to combine with their chin implant surgery. The results of these procedures all contribute to facial harmony and balance.

For patients seeking temporary chin augmentation results, soft-tissue injectables and dermal fillers enhance the size of the chin region. Patients experiencing only mild tissue and volume loss around their chin as a result of aging may elect to use fat grafting. Fat grafting re-contours and rejuvenates the lower portion of the face. Fat grafting is not, however, ideal for achieving augmentation in chin projection.

Recovering from Beverly Hills Chin Implant Surgery

The extent of the chin augmentation recovery period depends upon the surgical approach utilized. It also depends if other procedures were performed with your chin surgery. You will likely have temporary swelling and moderate bruising in your chin area, and occasionally along the bottom of your lower front teeth. Keeping your head elevated will help resolve the swelling, which usually peaks within 1-2 days. You should be able to return to work and your general daily activities after one week. However, you will need to avoid physical activities such as sports until your chin has fully healed.

Pain medication will be used to reduce any post-surgical soreness. You may need to wear a chin strap around your face (day and night) for one week. Following the initial week, Dr. Gabbay will check your healing progression. He will determine if you need to wear the strap for an extra two weeks (only at night). If your incision is inside your mouth, the stitches will usually dissolve within ten days. You must refrain from eating tough foods for the first week or two. Stick to softer foods that are easier to chew. They will cause less strain on the incision.

Potential (although rare) risks and complications of chin implant surgery include:

Temporary or permanent changes in chin sensation
Shifting of the chin implant
Infection
Hematoma (bleeding)

If you would like a stronger jawline and a well-balanced profile, our Beverly Hills plastic surgeon has decades of experience to help you feel more confident in your appearance. Call Gabbay Plastic Surgery today at (310) 205-9500 to schedule your consultation!

*Results may vary