Chin surgery (Genioplasty) rectifies receding chin, asymmetrical chin or double chin. Reshaping the chin can be accomplished using chin implants or repositioning the bone supporting the chin. Genioplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. In the procedure, the soft tissue is separated from the chin bone by cutting the gum of the lower lips below the bottom teeth. The surgeon performs with a saw to cut a small erect line in the chin for reference. This is to ensure the bone stays straight when it is moved. The doctor then makes a straight cut beside the chin bone.
If you want your chin to be smaller, the doctor will cut a wedge of bone and slide it forward or backwards, attaching fasteners and a metal plate to ensure it stays in place. Then the cut is stitched closed. Chin implant surgery is performed to reshape, enlarge or push forward the look of the chin. Chin augmentation involves implanting a plastic material (alloplastic implant) into the chin and sticking it to the bone. Implants are attached to the bone with screws. The surgeon stitches the cuts when once the material is implanted. Nonsurgical chin augmentation includes using needles to inject fillers to magnify the appearance of the chin. If you are worried about the position, shape or contour of your chin, genioplasty surgery may be the right option for you. The doctor will discuss your objectives with you and explain what can be accomplished. The treatment plan is customised as per the patient’s needs and requirements.
Aftercare
After the surgery, it is common to experience swelling, redness and bruising, which will disappear in a few days. The doctor will suggest you take oral antibiotics. It is advised to be on liquid or soft-food diet after the surgery. After every meal, the mouth should be rinsed with an oral rinse. It is not recommended to participate in sports or exercise 10 days following surgery. Fillers have minimum recovery time. The recovery time for surgical implants is similar to sliding genioplasty, as the tissue must have time to cling to the implant. It is advised to eat a soft-food or liquid diet and rinse the mouth with an antiseptic rinse.
