Headquarters:
1804 Woodfield Drive
Savoy, IL 61874
(217) 359-7508
Other Illinois facilities:
2409 E. Washington Street
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 662-0436
(800) 252-7123
within IL only
View Gallery
In evaluating the facial profile, the shape of the chin plays a very important role. In many cases, a receding chin accompanies an overly large nose. In other cases, lack of adequate chin projection can mar an otherwise acceptable profile. Few people realize that a receding chin is quite easily corrected by surgery.
In some cases, a receding chin is related to a functional problem in the relationship of the lower and upper jaws. This type of receding chin may be best corrected by shifting the entire lower jaw. Usually, the problem is merely one of appearance, and this is best corrected by a much simpler operation called augmentation mentoplasty or chin implant.
This operation may be combined with rhinoplasty or with a facelift procedure; although, in many cases it is carried out alone. Frequently, it is combined with liposuction surgery of the neck (see discussion of liposuction). The implant can be inserted either through a small incision inside the mouth or an incision made under the chin. The choice of approach will depend on the desires of the surgeon and the patient as well as whether or not other procedures are being combined. For example, with a facelift, a small incision is frequently made under the chin for fat removal or skin undermining. In this case, that same incision can be used to introduce the chin implant.
The operation is quite safe. The implant, made of Silastic, is well tolerated. Afterwards, there may be some temporary numbness of the lower lip and some swelling. For the first few weeks when the patient smiles, the lower lip will feel quite tight and the lower teeth may not be properly visible. Within a few weeks, the feeling and action return to normal.
This is one of the most rewarding procedures in facial profile correction since so many patients are not initially aware of the possibility of correcting a receding chin. It gives big dividends in improved appearance and patient gratification with minimal discomfort. The procedure is done under “twilight anesthesia” in our operating suite.
