Mentoplasty and genioplasty are chin reduction and chin augmentation procedures collectively referred to as chin surgery. While chin reduction surgery aims at decreasing the projection of an overly large or protruding chin, chin augmentation surgery is designed to increase the projection of a weak chin to make facial features more harmonious and improve lower face contours.
Chin surgery is appropriate for adult patients who are healthy non-smokers and whose bones have completely finished growing and developing. Both men and women can benefit from chin surgery, and the procedure is often combined with neck liposuction and/or neck lift surgery to maximize contouring of the jawline, neck and chin.
For chin surgery aimed at reducing or advancing the chin bone (genioplasty), an incision is made inside the mouth and different surgical techniques are used to either shave down and/or reshape the chin bone or slide it forward to increase projection. Chin augmentation with a chin implant (mentoplasty) is also performed using an incision inside the mouth, though which a permanent implant made of silicone, Goretex or some other synthetic material is placed.
Chin surgery is performed with general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation and typically requires 5-7 days of downtime. Complete recovery after chin surgery may take a few weeks, during which time a chin strap may also need to be worn.
If you're seriously considering chin surgery to get rid of a weak chin, reduce a protruding chin or generally improve lower face and jawline contours, contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery at(936) 564-3744 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Wittpenn. Dr. Wittpenn is an expert Nacogdoches facial plastic surgeon on serving chin surgery patients throughout eastern Texas and western Louisiana, including residents of Lufkin, Huntsville, Tyler and Shreveport.