Chin Augmentation: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

A person who feel that his/her chin in not shaped right when compared to the rest of the face can go for chin augmentation or cosmetic chin surgery. Chin augmentation can be done in both men and women via two methods: by using facial implants for enlarging the chin or by chin reduction surgery for people who want their jaw to appear less prominent in public. This treatment is basically done to add proportion to the chin and so that it provides balance to the other facial features. A weak or bony chin makes a big nose appear bigger and may thus cause a person with a big nose to look bad. The chin implant surgery helps to balance all the facial features.

A chin augmentation surgery helps to change a person’s appearance and can help to increase his/her self-esteem. A chin augmentation surgery can help a person in a number of ways. It helps to correct a weak or recessed chin and thereby improves the definition of the neck and jaw line. It also helps to reduce the appearance of a full or ‘double’ chin caused by small chin bone and most importantly, it brings the chin into better proportion with the other features of the face and thus help to improve facial harmony.

Chin augmentation surgery is normally performed at a cosmetic surgeon’s clinic on outpatient basis or can also be performed at a hospital. In this procedure, chin implants are used to augment the bone which is located at the front of the jaw below the teeth. The strength and definition of the chin are permanently enhanced after the artificial implant is placed under the skin. The augmentation gives a patient a well-proportioned look. When done by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, a chin augmentation surgery will furnish a natural look.

Local or general anesthesia is used to perform this treatment. The procedure is done within 45 minutes to an hour and a half and the duration depends on a few factors. The procedure requires an incision to be made beneath the chin or inside the mouth between the lower lip and gum. The chin implant is inserted and placed in front of the jawbone after the incisions are made. The final stage of this procedure requires the surgeon to check if the implant has been placed correctly and if it has been able to furnish a balanced appearance together with the other features of the face. The procedure is complete when the surgeon finds that the desired results have been achieved and he/she sutures the chin implant in place.

A person who does not have illnesses like heart problems and hypertension and who is not in poor health is eligible for this treatment. A person who has a recessed chin, squared or pointed chin, a prominent nose or a fleshy neck will surely benefit from the treatment. This treatment is basically for those people who want to improve or modify their appearance and get a more balanced look.

There are a few conditions whereby a person is not eligible for chin augmentation. A person who is not healthy is not eligible for this treatment. A person is also not eligible if he/she has unreasonable expectations about the outcome of the surgery or have take Acutane over the last few months. This is because this medication can cause keloid scarring by affecting bone growth. A person on anticoagulants or suffering from cardiac problems or hypertension is also not eligible.

Generally a chin augmentation surgery is not associated with too many side-effects when performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon. However, some of the potential side effects are infection, shift in the position of the implant, internal bleeding and scarring. A person may also suffer from the side-effects of anesthesia. A person may also suffer from bruising and swelling up to six weeks after the procedure.

A person who has undergone the surgery will have to sleep face-up for a period of 1-2 weeks after the surgery. This will help to protect the incisions and also to deal with the swelling. Sometimes, a person may also be recommended a liquid-only diet for a period of 2-3 days after the surgery.

Normally a person does not require much time to recover from a chin augmentation surgery. He/she will be able to return to work and also be able to do basic physical activities within a period of 7 days. However, strenuous activities can be resumed after a period of 3-4 weeks.

A chin augmentation surgery generally costs around Rs 1,50,000.

Chin augmentation is supposed to be a permanent procedure. The implants are strong, durable devices and they are expected to last a lifetime. However, any trauma to the face may damage the chin implant. In that case, another surgery may be required to remedy this. The aging process may change the facial features of a person but the operated chin will remain as it is.

Fat grafting is a good and effective way to change the appearance of the chin. Another way to get a new balanced look and treat a weak chin is by using injectable fillers.