Much of attractiveness depends not just on our features themselves, but how they are balanced. This is particularly true with the chin, which helps to frame our faces and our smiles. A weak chin can change the entire appearance of a person’s face and profile. It can make other features such as the nose appear exaggerated in size while making one’s face appear off balance. Dr. Joseph Russell offers chin implants and other types of augmentation which can change the entire appearance of a person’s face, giving people the balanced and attractive appearance that they desire.
Table of Contents
What Is Chin Augmentation?
Also known as a mentoplasty, a chin augmentation is a surgery to add to and reshape the chin and thus give the face an entirely new shape. This sometimes can be done by cutting and repositioning the bones in the jaw and chin. In most cases, however, this is accomplished by putting a small implant in the lower chin. These are usually made of medical-grade silicone. The implant is carefully chosen by the patient and the facial plastic surgeon together to best improve the balance and attractiveness of the face and profile. There are many sizes and shapes available to create a variety of different looks. This procedure can be performed alone or with other procedures, such as a rhinoplasty (nose job).
Once the implant is in place, it should not be visible as it should blend into the jaw seamlessly. Rather, it will simply look like the person has a stronger and better shaped natural chin. In most cases, acquaintances will not notice the new chin itself, but rather than your face looks more attractive in a subtle way. The results of plastic surgery can be seen immediately.
Chin Augmentation Before and After Photos
Chin Augmentaion Before and After Patient 1:
This patient is seen here at 8 months after her rhinoplasty and chin augmentation. She loves her new nose and chin, and she and her mother are so pleased that everything looks natural. She still looks like herself, just improved!
How Is a Mentoplasty Performed?
People who receive a chin implant are put under general anesthesia. The facial plastic surgeon then will open the chin so that the bone is exposed. This is done through incisions that will not make noticeable scars. For example, the surgeon may go through the inside of the mouth, underneath the chin, or in the crease of the chin. The implant is carefully placed and positioned before being secured. The incisions are then closed. Most patients must wear a support wrap around their chin for a week to allow the implant to heal in the correct position.
Increasing the size of the chin will stretch tissues in the area. People who do not have a great deal of loose skin may notice feelings of tightness and numbness in the area for a short period of time after the surgery. These usually resolve quickly. Bruising and swelling can occur, but these go away in several days to a week. It may hurt to talk, chew, and otherwise move your lower face for a few days after the surgery, but these activities should not be affected the long term.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Chin Implants?
Most healthy adults who want their face reshaped subtly with a new chin are good candidates for this kind of surgery.
In general, people will have the most satisfactory results when they have the following qualities:
- Weak chin
- Asymmetrical face with prominent upper half
- An overbite or other imperfections that can be balanced with a stronger chin
- Unattractive profile
If you are not sure if you are a candidate, it is best to talk to a qualified facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Russell about this procedure and whether it meets your unique wants and needs.
Chin Augmentation Consultation
People who are interested in finding out more about this procedure should take the next step in talking to a facial plastic surgeon who is qualified to perform the procedure. Dr. Russell graduated with the highest honors from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and then completed a five-year residency in Head and Neck Surgery in Texas. After a fellowship in New York City with one of the world’s top facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Russell has returned to Charleston, where he offers this and other procedures to residents of the area.
If you are ready to find out if surgery on the chin or any other area of the face can give you the attractive appearance you wish for, call Dr. Russell’s office today at (843) 576-3302 to schedule an appointment.