Chin surgery is the procedure of surgically improving the contour of the jaw line and creating a stronger or less prominent jaw. This is often done to provide a better balance of the face.
A weak jaw can make the nose appear to be bigger and the neck to thick and fleshy. A protruding jaw can make the face appear unbalanced. Often, but not always, this procedure is done in combination with rhynoplasty (nose surgery).
Variations
Chin implant
A prosthetic implant is used to enhance the jaw line. This technique is popular, because it is a relatively light operation and the results are very noticeable.
The implant is often made from the patients bone (bone grafting). Another possibility is using the bone of a donor, but this carries a slightly higher risk of infection.
Other options include silicone and other non-organic implants, like ePTFE. A temporary solution exists in the form of a injectable tissue augmentation solutions.
Chin advancement
When the jawline is ill-defined a jaw advancement operation can give better results. In this procedure the chin bone is moved forward by cutting and re-positioning the bone. Compared to other forms of facial surgery, this procedure has one of the most noticeable results.
This procedure is more complicated than chin implants and requires 1 or 2 nights in the hospital.
Chin reduction
This technique is very similar to the chin advancement, described above, except that the chin will be placed more to the back. Sometimes some excess bone will be removed.
Procedure
The procedure lasts around an hour, longer if bone grafting is involved. Usually you will be under general anesthesia.
The surgeon will make an incision on a location based on your specific situation. Most likely somewhere inside the mouth, near the lower lip. Connective tissue will be disconnected from the bone. Now either an implant will be placed and connected to the bone, or -in the case of chin advancement and chin reduction- the the tip of the chin bone will be detached, repositioned and its position secured.
After surgery the incision will be closed with sutures.
After the procedure
After the procedure you will awake from general anesthesia and probably feel quite weak. Some people feel emotional or like they are sick when awaking from general anesthesia. You will want to ask the hospital to arrange a taxi for you, this will also make sure that the Thai taxi driver doesn’t overcharge you.
The first few days your jaw will feel sore and you’ll have some difficulty smiling and talking. This is normal and will go away after a few days. Expect some bruising and swelling.
Luckily chin implants heal quick compared to other surgeries. If the incision was made inside your mouth, the hospital will give you instructions on what kind of food to eat the first few days (Tip: Yok is a very tasty Thai rice porridge).
You should be able to return to your normal schedule after a few days. However avoid activities where you can expect to receive a blow to the face, like contact sports, for 3 - 4 weeks.
Expect a longer recovery time after chin advancement and chin reduction.
Risks
Usually there are no complications, and the complications most often reported are quite minor.
- Swelling
- Hematoma
- Temporary numbness of the lower lip
- Occasionally infection and bony changes
Who are candidates for chin surgery?
Persons who feel unhappy with the size or shape of their chin can choose chin surgery. You will have to be at least 20 years of age, which is when the chin has reached its mature stage.
Patients should be in good health to ensure a fast recovery and reduce the risk of implications.
