Genioplasty (Chin Surgery)

Genioplasty (Chin Surgery)

What is Genioplasty?

Genioplasty is a type of surgery performed on the chin. Both plastic surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons (surgeons who work on the mouth and chin) can perform this type of surgery.

Genioplasty is mostly a cosmetic surgery, meaning people choose to have it done for looks and not because of a medical problem. Therefore, it is not usually covered by insurance.

There are several ways to perform this procedure:

• Advancing or moving the jaw forward
• Pushing back or moving the jaw backwards
• Side by side, which can help asymmetrical jaws
• Vertical changes such as making the chin longer or shorter

What Conditions Does Genioplasty Correct?

Genioplasty is ideal for people with jaw problems.

These may include:

• Congenital jaw deformities causing facial dissonance such as condylar hyperplasia, hemi-mandibular extension, hemifacial microsomia, occlusal and skeletal deformities.
• An enlarged chin (Macrogenia)
• An unusually small or deformed chin (Microgenia)
• A weak, retracted or slightly protruding chin (Retrogenia)
• A prominent, protruding or overly protruding chin (Mandibular Prognathism)
• A recessed chin and excessive biting (retrognathia)
• Double chin and full lower face
• An aging neck and jawline
• Sleep apnea correction to improve tongue position and open airway

What are the Genioplasty Types?

1. Horizontal Genioplasty

A horizontal genioplasty is useful for reducing the prognathic (large) protruding chin.

2. Vertical Genioplasty

A vertical genioplasty is ideal for increasing or decreasing chin height where there are face height discrepancies between lower, middle, and upper face sizes.

3. Sliding Genioplasty

In most cases, genioplasty involves the sliding technique, allowing for simultaneous adjustments to the height, projection, and symmetry of the lower face and chin.

This procedure is also crucial for addressing issues like airway obstruction. This type of surgery involves separating the jaw and moving it (along with the muscles that control the tongue) forward or forward and down.

4. Chin Implants

Chin Implants can be used to reshape, augment or accentuate the appearance of the chin. This can be accomplished through surgery or injection.

Surgical chin augmentation involves implanting a plastic material in the chin and attaching it to the bone.

Alloplastic implants (those made from synthetic materials) are the most common.

Non-surgical chin augmentation involves using needles to inject fillers such as body fat to improve the appearance of the chin.

What is the Difference Between Sliding Genioplasty and Chin Implant?

Sliding Genioplasty Procedure

A sliding genioplasty procedure includes the following steps:

1. The surgeon cuts along the edge of the lower gums and inside the lower lip.
2. The surgeon makes an incision in the soft tissue layer to access the jawbone.
3. After the jawbone is exposed, the surgeon makes a small vertical incision in the jaw and uses it as a reference point during the operation.
4. The surgeon makes a horizontal incision under the roots of the lower teeth. The surgeon can change the chin height by cutting at different angles. If they need to shrink or move the jaw back, they can cut a wedge-shaped piece of bone.
5. They slide the piece of bone forward, backward or sideways. After positioning the jaw, the surgeon will check the alignment and file excess bone along the jawline.
6. They will reattach the jawbone to the jaw with screws and a metal plate. Some surgeons may use biodegradable plates and screws instead of metal so that the person does not feel the screws under the skin.
7. The surgeon sutures the incision closed. They then place compression bands on the front and sides of the chin to minimize swelling.

After Care

After the sliding genioplasty procedure, people may need to spend about 2 nights in the hospital.

During this time, their surgeon and nurse will monitor their recovery, looking for signs of infection or other complications.

Before discharging the person, a surgeon or nurse will review post-operative care instructions with them.

These may include:

• Dosage and timing for taking oral antibiotics
• Tips for managing pain and swelling
• How to rinse the mouth with water or oral antiseptic
• How to remove and change wound dressings
• Switching to liquid or soft foods for the first few days
• Avoiding strenuous activities for 3-4 weeks

Chin  Implant Procedure

Chin Implant augmentation takes about 1 hour.

Surgical implant procedures typically include the following steps:

1. The surgeon makes a small incision inside the mouth or under the chin.
2. They insert the implant through the incision and position it around the jawbone and then insert the implant.
3. The surgeon closes the incision with sutures.

If someone chooses a non-surgical augmentation option, the surgeon will inject dermal fillers around the mouth, chin, or chin. They may need to repeat this process as the filler melts after a few months.

After Care

Aftercare instructions for surgical implants are similar to sliding genioplasty procedures.

People may notice minor swelling, redness, or bruising that should go away on its own.

People can reduce pain and swelling with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses. Most people can return to their daily activities within 1 week.

It is recommended that people lie on their back with their head elevated for 1-2 weeks after the surgery.

Recovery Times

There are several factors that affect recovery times, such as:

Procedure Type

• Scope of surgical changes
• How quickly the body heals
• Any complications such as infections
• After the implant augmentation, the person can return to work 7 days later.

The chin may appear completely healed within a few weeks. However, when there is no longer any sign of swelling, full recovery will occur and it may take up to 3 months.

People who have had sliding genioplasty or implant surgeries should come to regular follow-up appointments for their surgeon to monitor their recovery and address any complications.

Dermal fillers do not leave scars and have a shorter recovery time than sliding genioplasty and implant surgeries.

What are the Advantages of Genioplasty?

• Surgical accuracy – the specialist surgeon analyzes the person’s face shape using 3D computer software to simulate and estimate ideal face sizes.
• The virtual surgical plan is subsequently converted into a personalized surgical guide through the use of 3D printing technology.
• The use of this type of surgical guide allows for accurate jaw positioning (better patient outcomes) using minimally invasive surgical approaches.
• This results in shorter surgery times (and faster patient recovery) and reduced risk of complications for the patient.
• The bone heals very well, and after complete healing and reshaping, there is usually no visible scar from the surgery.
• Very rarely it may be necessary to remove the fixing plate and screws.
• The shape of the jaw can be resized and repositioned in any direction.

Genioplasty is a surgical procedure, and although complications are uncommon, they can occasionally arise. Some potential temporary side effects include facial swelling, pain, and numbness in the lower lip, which may occur due to the close proximity of the operated bone to the facial nerves. Your chin or chin area may feel swollen, tight and bruised for several weeks.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Genioplasty?

Risks:

Like all cosmetic procedures, there are some risks associated with genioplasty. Although these complications are rare, it’s important to be aware of them so we know what to watch out for.

• Allergic reaction
• Infection
• Nerve damage
• Exposure of screws
• Implant extrusion

Complications:

As with any surgery, there are some potential complications you can have after a genioplasty.

• Numbness:

You may feel tingling or numbness in your lower lip. This is common after surgery. However, in some cases this feeling can last for months. If you experience long-term effects, you should talk to your doctor.

• Bleeding:

You should expect some bleeding from the site of your incision on the night of your surgery. You are not likely to bleed too much.

• Infection:

This is uncommon but can occur in certain rare instances. An infection might develop at the incision site, particularly if the area isn‘t properly cleaned during the healing process. There’s also a possibility of infection around the small plates or screws used to secure your jaw. Although these plates and screws are permanent, infections in this area are highly unlikely.

What are the Benefits of Genioplasty?

• Genioplasty procedures can alter the aesthetic appearance of a retracted, protruding or misaligned chin.
• The position and size of the chin are crucial in achieving balance among other facial features like the nose, forehead, and cheeks, all of which contribute to overall facial harmony.
• Genioplasty can provide significant benefits for people who are not satisfied with their chin.

Does Genioplasty Require General Anesthesia?

Yes, genioplasty requires general anesthesia.

Are the Results of a Genioplasty Certain?

Genioplasty provides permanent correction of chin defects.