Chin Augmentation
A chin augmentation, or genioplasty, is performed to provide increased symmetry to the chin when the chin is excessively long or short. The procedure can be accomplished by a silicone implant or by using the chin bone itself. Both options have their own benefits and risks which are important to consider.
Treatment Time
1 hour; an isolated lip lift can be performed under local anesthetic or under a general anesthetic if combined with other procedures.
Incisions
Incisions are hidden at the base of the nose where the nose meets the upper lip. After a few months the incisions are barely visible due to their location.
Benefits
The main benefits of a lip lift include a more youthful and elevated appearing upper lip, less need for filler in the upper lips, more fullness, and minimal scarring.
Technique
An incision is made below the nose following the natural curvature of the upper lips. The skin of the upper lip is elevated off the underlying muscle and then strong sutures are used to suspend the skin of the upper lip. Finally, small non-absorbable sutures are used to minimize scarring.
Recovery
One week. After a week the stitches beneath the nose are removed and bruising will largely be gone. Swelling in the lips may persist for 2-3 weeks.
Risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, poor healing, asymmetric result, and not meeting your aesthetic goals. Overall the risks of a lip lift are considered low due to the good healing potential in the area of the incisions.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients who no longer want filler in their upper lips, have signs of upper lip aging including descent and wrinkles, are otherwise healthy, do not smoke, and have clear expectations.
Adjunct Procedures
Often an upper lip lift is combined with other types of facial rejuvenation such as a browlift, upper blepharoplasty, or facelift. Although common to do facial procedures together, a lip lift under local anesthetic by itself is a useful and straight forward operation.
Treatment Time
2-3 hours; a genioplasty with a silicone implant is a shorter procedure while using your own bone from your jaw (sliding genioplasty) takes longer and has a longer recovery.
Incisions
Incisions for a genioplasty are done inside the mouth so there are no visible scars on the skin of your chin. Absorbable sutures are used to maximize patient comfort postoperatively.
Benefits
In patients with a small chin, or microgenia, the procedure can improve aesthetic proportions. In patients with a large or asymmetric chin, a sliding genioplasty can be beneficial for correcting disproportionate features.
Technique
A horizontal incision is made inside the mouth below the gums and the soft tissue of the chin is elevated off the bone. A silicone implant is inserted or a horizontal cut in the bone is completed for a sliding genioplasty. The area is cleaned then absorbable sutures are used inside the mouth. It is important the area is kept clean after surgery with mouth rinses and oral care.
Recovery
At two weeks the incisions inside your mouth are fully healed and most bruising and swelling has resolved. The final results can be seen after 4-6 weeks once your soft tissue has stabilized.
Risks
The main risks are bleeding, infection, wound healing issues, asymmetry, and poor aesthetic outcome. Patients can also get numbness along their lower lip but this tends to resolve after a few weeks.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients with a small chin (microgenia), overly large chin (macrogenia), or asymmetry chin; otherwise healthy, non-smoker, and has clear expectations.
Implant vs Sliding Genioplasty
A silicone implant is a shorter procedure with less recovery, however there is a risk the implant becomes infected or does not stay in the correct position. A sliding genioplasty is a longer procedure with a longer recovery, however is better at correcting asymmetric or overly pronounced chins by using your own tissue. Each procedure has their own risks and benefits.