What Is Chin Augmentation?

Chin augmentation refers to the process of enhancing the projection and prominence of the chin in both men and women. Medically this is referred to as a genioplasty. There are a variety of methods that achieve this enhancement, both surgical and non-surgical.

How Do I Know If I Need Chin Surgery?

The chin is a central and defining feature of a person’s face. It can create a sense of harmony with the rest of the face, giving the appearance of a strong and well-defined jawline. There are many reasons that may require surgical enhancement. As we age, the bones in our face, jaw, and body lose their strength and density, leading to what some may refer to as a “weak chin”. The chin subsequently gets smaller and less prominent with age. The chin may also recede into the neck as the soft tissue of the neck and face begin to droop with aging. Some patients may be born with smaller chins that are less prominent and may have surgery at a younger age. You may need chin or jaw surgery because of having severe sleep apnea. A small and retracted chin may be contributing to sleep problems leading to sleep apnea. There are additional genetic conditions that can cause congenital problems related to the jaw that may require treatment.

In order to identify whether you need chin surgery, the best way is to look at your profile view. If the chin is too far back from the upper lip then you may benefit from chin surgery. There are medically defined points and measurements that relate your nose and facial features that help to establish if the chin is in harmony with the rest of the face. Sometimes the chin may be small, a term referred to as microgenia. Other times the chin may be an appropriate size but retracted backward, a term referred to as retrognathia. A specialist can take you through this process to identify your exact needs.

Preparation For A Genioplasty

You will meet with Dr. Mourad where he usually spends an hour going over everything related to your chin. He will evaluate and make sure that he can specifically tailor a custom care plan to your exact needs. During the consultation, Dr. Mourad will determine the exact nature of your complaints and the exact causes. You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate exactly what it is you don’t like about your chin.  This will allow Dr. Mourad to visually map out all of the chin to create the best surgical plan. Once a tailored plan is made, Dr. Mourad and his staff will take you through all the necessary information needed to make sure that your surgery happens without issue. We take care of the details so that you can have the most enjoyable experience.

Dr. Mourad views treating his patients to be nothing short of a privilege and an honor and enjoys taking the time to get to know his patients and fully understand their issues. Dr. Mourad’s office provides a boutique experience that takes you out of the mindset of being at the doctor’s office. It is a warm, comfortable environment, providing a bespoke experience.

How Is Chin Augmentation Surgery Performed?

Chin Implants

The most commonly performed chin augmentation surgery is the placement of chin implants. Your doctor should be able to show you a computer-imaged side profile to give you an idea of the improvement you can expect. Using presurgical 3-dimensional planning, an appropriately sized implant can be secured to the chin to provide the perfect amount of projection. Implants can be placed through a small incision in the mouth, or better through a small incision under the chin. Implants come in a variety of different types of materials. It is important to discuss with your surgeon which implant best suits your needs.

Sliding Genioplasty

This type of surgery does not involve any foreign material or implants. Chin augmentation is performed through the use of cuts in the jaw bone that allow for the chin to “slide” forward. The bones are then secured using tiny plates and screws. This type of surgery is commonly performed in the treatment of sleep apnea and may improve your sleep quality and overall health. This is because the surgery allows for your tongue to move forward which will increase the amount of oxygen you receive at night.

What Is The Recovery Like After Receiving Chin Augmentation Surgery?

For a chin implant alone there may be virtually no recovery period with mild bruising and tenderness. Others with more extensive procedures may be restricted to a soft diet for 1-2 weeks after surgery. This is to ensure that the implant and new chin position does not migrate or move to a less than desirable position. For those patients that receive the sliding chin surgery, they are required to wear a “jaw cradle” for one week after surgery at all times, while also being on a soft diet; followed by wearing the “jaw cradle” only while sleeping at night for the following week. Patients are advised to not perform any strenuous activity regardless of the surgery for at least 3-4 weeks. Patients are also advised to sleep on their backs to prevent any inadvertent pressure or contact with the chin while sleeping.

What Are Other Considerations When Thinking About Chin Surgery?

The chin is only one component of the face that creates a sense of balance and harmony. It is important to take into consideration other complimentary procedures that may enhance the outcome of your chin surgery.

Rhinoplasty – Sometimes, a large nose may make it look like your chin is weak or small. Addressing the nose can often solve your problem. Sometimes a rhinoplasty can be done in addition to chin surgery to maximize your results.

Cheek and Jaw Implants – Often times patients with small chins have poor definition and flattening of their cheekbones, in addition to weak jawlines. This may be due to overall bone loss with aging, or poor bone development as a child. It is important to enhance the definition of all parts of the bony face to maximize results.

Are There Non-Surgical Options?

Yes. Chin enhancement can be achieved through the use of injectable materials along the chin and jawline. This type of enhancement is temporary, with the effects wearing off in a few months. Although Dr. Mourad is well trained in these techniques, he does not endorse them, as he values giving his patients enduring, long-lasting results, that withstand the test of time.

Does Insurance Cover The Surgery?

Sometimes, depending on your complaint, surgery may be covered partly or completely by your insurance company. Most common reasons for insurance to cover chin surgery is having co-existent sleep apnea. Chin surgery may improve sleep apnea, and reduce the adverse effects of poor nighttime sleep quality. Other reasons may include congenital (existing from birth) or traumatic events. Dr. Mourad and his team of specialists work closely with insurance companies to ensure that all resources are made available to you.