COSMETIC SURGERY
Chin, cheeks, & jaw surgery
A small chin can be corrected with a relatively simple operation to increase chin projection and improve facial balance. Chin implants are the simplest option but can result in infection and rejection problems unless the patient's own bone is used (typically harvested from the patient's skull). This is a relatively simple procedure although can produce some temporary numbness of the lower lip. In mild cases, chin prominence can also now be achieved with Genioplasty which uses fat injections into the soft tissues of the chin area.
Chin reduction is accomplished either by reshaping the bone with a burr to produce a smooth contour or by removing a small piece of bone and repositioning the chin. Chin augmentation increases the size of the chin either through the use of an implant, or by removing a section of bone, moving it forward and fixing it into position. This second technique is called Sliding Genioplasty, and can also be used for a vertical adjustment of facial dimensions.
Cheek bones can also be made more prominent or better defined with Malar Augmentation using implants, usually made of synthetic material.
In some people, the mid face area is not as fully developed as desirable, leading to a number of problems:
- a downward slant to the eyelids with a lower position of the lid margin
- eyes that are more rounded than normal
- lower lid eye bags that develop earlier than usual
- an overall flatter, poorly defined appearance to the face
- an early appearance of lines leading from the nose to the corners of the mouth (naso-lablial folds)
Occasionally the problem is more extensive, involving the upper jawbone and affecting the way the jaws fit together. Provided the way your teeth meet (dental occlusion) is satisfactory, cosmetic chin remodelling can be undertaken with confidence. If it is not, orthodontic preparation may be needed and this may take as much as two years, in conjunction with orthognatic surgery.