Chin Augmentation Procedure

Chin Augmentation

The chin and nose work together to create an attractive profile. While some patients express concern about a weak chin, often people do not realize that their chin is contributing to their dissatisfaction with their appearance.

The chin usually becomes part of the conversation after identifying concerns with the neck, jaw, or nose. While it may not be your primary concern, an appropriately sized chin can provide the balance necessary to visually smooth and elongate the neck, strengthen the jawline, and balance your nose.

Chin augmentation, sometimes called a genioplasty, is a procedure that helps to surgically reshape a receding chin or correct a “witch’s chin.” Chin augmentation can also involve chin implants, which Dr. Rankin can customize to fit your new chin shape.

Most people think of facial symmetry or balance as the similarity between your face’s right and left sides. There also needs to be a balance between the vertical components of your face, particularly when we discuss your profile. 

The face can be divided into an upper, middle, and lower third. Each third should be the same vertical height to achieve a natural balance. The upper third is roughly from your hairline to your eyebrows, the middle is from the eyebrows to your nostrils, and the lower third is from your nostrils to the bottom of your chin. The ideal chin for your face and profile needs to be both the correct height and projection.

Dr. Rankin can combine other procedures with genioplasty. Patients often opt for rhinoplasty, or a neck lift, and chin augmentation for a more dramatic effect.

Whether you choose a genioplasty or a chin implant, the procedure is an outpatient procedure in which an anesthesiologist will put you under general anesthesia. However, some patients do opt for local anesthesia for a chin implant procedure. This is because a chin implant is less involved than a genioplasty where the chin bone needs to be shaved down or reshaped. 

If your chin is under-projected, a chin implant can restore balance to your profile. The surgery takes about one hour and involves Dr. Rankin placing the chin implant through a small incision under the chin. A chin implant can be customized to fit several sizes of the jaw to help the appearance of an under-projected chin. 

If your chin is too “short,” meaning that the distance from your nostrils to the bottom of your chin is smaller than the other thirds of your face, then a chin implant will likely not be sufficient. With a genioplasty, Dr. Rankin moves the chin’s bone to achieve the appropriate height and projection. He places the incision inside the mouth so there are no external scars compared to a chin implant. 

A genioplasty helps chins that are not only under-projected but also too large. A genioplasty can also help the appearance of a “witch’s chin” when a chin is over-projected.

The recovery can take up to a week or more for chin implants, depending on if you choose to combine another procedure. Soreness under the chin is normal after a chin implant and usually lasts a few days after your procedure. 

Chin augmentation that involves a genioplasty, or bone reshaping, will require a longer recovery. Because the jawbone has been brought either forward or backward, the bones in the jaw will take a few months to heal fully. Many patients will take a week off from work or school to recover from a genioplasty.

A good candidate for chin augmentation will have an underprojected or unbalanced chin, often described as a “weak chin”. Good candidates for chin augmentation surgery will also be:

  • Nonsmokers 
  • Over the age of eighteen or have achieved skeletal maturity
  • In good physical and emotional health 

Many candidates for a genioplasty will need both lowering and increased projection of their chin, while good candidates for a chin implant need only additional projection. Dr. Rankin will help you determine which procedure is best for you and will enhance your overall profile.

How much chin augmentation costs will depend on which procedure you choose. For example, the average cost of a genioplasty is more expensive than a chin implant, at $7,725. A chin implant’s average cost, on the other hand, is $4,950. Our staff will discuss the specifics of how much either option can cost during your initial consultation.

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Want to learn more about how Chin Augmentation can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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