Mentoplasty, as a chin augmentation is officially known is a plastic surgery procedure which is designed to permanently alter the appearance and augmentation of the chin. Whether you have an underbite, overbite, or a smaller chin than you would like, a chin augmentation should be able to alter the look of your chin and can change the whole look of your face, making it feel more balanced.
If you are considering a chin augmentation then you are probably wondering how is a chin augmentation done?
How is a Chin Augmentation Done?
First thing to understand about chin augmentation is that you will undergo surgery as an implant has to be inserted in your chin to change its look. The procedure will likely take around an hour under anesthetic following a consultation where you will discuss with your specialist what you would like your new chin line to look like, often with virtual images developed to show you.
Usually the incision for the surgery is made in the crease beneath the chin which becomes an imperceptible well-camouflaged scar when mature. Some surgeons prefer to carry out the surgery via an incision inside the mouth which of course is less visible but this has higher chances of infection, can result in migration of the implant overtime, and may have the side effect of damage to the muscles responsible for lower lip movement.
The implant for the chin augmentation is specific to the individual and is sculpted pre-surgery in line with the current chin and required post-surgery chin line wanted. The majority of implants are silastic which allows them to be easily sculpted and can be removed and replaced at a later date if someone isn’t happy with the results. For squarer masculine chin implants a terrino implant is typically used as it gives a squarer look.
You may have concerns about whether the implant will move over time and perhaps look offline or protrude in the wrong direction, particularly if you’re someone who plays contact sports. Well the implant is placed during surgery under the lining of the bone periosteum which is a dense layer of tissue that is tightly adhered to the done. SO initially the implant is inserted under this layer of tissue and secured with dissolving stitches. After 6 months the stitches have dissolved and the periosteum has shrunk wrapped around the implant securing it naturally in place making it very difficult to dislodge.
Should You Expect Pain and Side Effects After Chin Augmentation?
Of course because this is a surgical procedure you will experience pain, swelling and bruising for a week or so after the surgery. You may feel some tightness and pressure from the implant but this sensation should only last for a couple of days. You may experience stiffness of the lips due to swelling but this should subside within weeks after surgery.
People often combine chin augmentation surgery with rhinoplasty, a nose job, because the two together can drastically change the facial appearance of someone to achieve the aesthetic look they desire.
