The objective of chin augmentation is to change the chin for a more outstanding appearance.
The end result of any plastic surgery should be balance, in this case regarding the face as a whole. Because of this other procedures may be suggested in conjunction with chin augmentation to achieve the goal of balance. It is not uncommon to have rhinoplasty performed along with this surgery. A qualified surgeon will study the facial features of his patient through the use of photos and diagrams, even graphing these to plan out the best approach to achieve the most favorable results. These studies are also highly beneficial for the sake of ongoing communication between the candidate and their surgeon to make sure desires and expectations are clear to both parties as well as discuss the possibility of other necessary procedures.
Even if the surgery is for cosmetic purposes a candidate must be in good mental and physical health. Any emotional problems before the procedure may become an even more serious issue for those persons since patience and a realistic outlook about the procedure are necessary. Some patients experience post-operative depression, so any emotional issues would only be further magnified for the individual, especially during the healing after surgery. There must not be any current physical problems present in the candidate that could further compromise their health as a result of the procedure. This is especially true with any possible bone disorders.
A complete history of health with medications taken must be disclosed. As an example a patient having been on Accutane within the last half year may be disqualified since the medication is known to promote exaggerated bone growth and provoke an increase in scarring. Plastic surgery is normally traumatic to the body from incisions so it is likely drugs like Accutane could cause serious problems.
It is recommended that the patient should be drinking plenty of water during the weeks before the surgery and be well-rested.
Most likely the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis either with general anesthesia or localized anesthesia along with sedation. The procedure itself might involve an incision just at the natural chin line making practical use of the face’s natural features to make the resultant scar less apparent. Another approach is to create an incision inside the mouth where the lower lip and the gum meet. The augmentation may be done by changing the shape of the bone along with an implant that is placed in a space created by careful stretching. The implant itself feels natural to the touch and can be in a wide variety of shapes and sizes permitting a custom fit. They are designed to be biocompatible to reduce the chance of an immune response. The chin implant is placed on top of the bone. Time involved in this procedure alone can be less than an hour, or may take up to three hours in duration.
After the patient wakes up they will experience some tenderness that can be managed with medication. A dressing will be placed over the incision and will be needed for two to three days. A diet consisting of liquids and soft foods may be suggested to limit chewing. The implant will probably be the cause of any sense of tissue feeling stretched or tight but will go away after about a week.
Around six weeks after surgery most swelling and bruising should have subsided. Heavy activity may be discouraged during the next few weeks. Every-day activity can resume after ten days.
Most insurance do not cover cosmetic procedures, while such surgeries for correcting may be partially reimbursable. For this it is advisable that the patient check their insurance for applicability.
Complications are comparatively minor for this procedure. These may include swelling, numbness and pooling of blood within the effected tissues.
There is a chance of infection with incisions in the mouth due to plaque or bacteria. It is advisable to discuss the location of incisions with the surgeon.
There is always a chance of infection as with all surgeries. In addition the implant may become displaced or be rejected by the body despite precautions.
Average cost for chin augmentation was just over $2,000 according to recent statistics.