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Chin Reshaping (Mentoplasty)

View chin reshaping before and after photos

Mentoplasty or genioplasty is a procedure designed to change the shape or prominence of the chin to better match the rest of the patients facial proportion. Patients most commonly seek mentoplasty because of a small or receded chin. There are procedures, however designed to reduce the projection and / or size of chins that are too large or pointy. In addition to improving the appearance of your chin and facial proportion, mentoplasty / genioplasty can also improve your neckline by sharpening the angle between your chin and neck - thus tightening a neckline and reducing the "double chin" effect of a receded chin. To this end, a mentoplasty is sometimes combined with submental (under the chin) liposuction. Mentoplasty / Genioplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure under either general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation.

Augmenting a small or receded chin can be done with an implant, or by shifting the patients own chin in a procedure called sliding genioplasty. In the case of a very small chin, this procedure may require the addition of some of the patients own bone (usually from the hip) to give the chin more height in addition to more forward projection. Many patients prefer the sliding genioplasty over chin implants because of the inherent problems with placing synthetic implants in this particular area. These as well as other risks and complications of the procedure such as infection, bleeding and numbness will be discussed at the time of consultation.

The procedure is done through incisions inside the mouth, so that there are no visible facial scars. Barring any complications, the results are permanent.

Before Surgery

Some issues considered at the time of your consultation include:

o Your general health
o Smoking
o Previous dental and sinus history
o Your overall facial proportions (your gender is taken into account with this)
o Current size, shape, prominence or recession of the chin
o Your bite (occlusion), the condition of your teeth and gums
o Facial sensation, muscle function
o Your neckline

Pre-operative planning is very thorough and may require special x-rays to determine the amount of augmentation, projection recesion, change in height or position required to improve the appearance of the chin; the planning includes measurements to determine all of these consideration.

The Surgery

The Surgery is performed under either general or local anaesthetic with sedation through and incision in the lower gums. There are no incisions or scars on the skin. The operation takes approximately one hour to complete and may be done on an outpatient basis (home the same day).

There are risks and complications with all surgical procedures such as bleeding and infection although these are rare. Aside from infection, complications specific to this procedure such as numbness of the chin and lower lip (usually temporary) and asymmetry will be discussed at the time of consultation.

After Surgery

Mouth care and diet instructions will be given to the patient on discharge from hospital. These will include soft diet and mouth rinses for the first two weeks.

o 1st post-operative visit within 48 hours after surgery to check for bleeding, level of discomfort, to answer any immediate concerns.
o 1st week after surgery; Swelling has reached maximum and begins to subside. Resume normal daily activities. No heavy lifting or working out.
o 10 - 14 days after surgery; return to work, bruising gone, swelling reduced, "presentable", vigorous activity (exercise, contact sports, heavy lifting, etc.) restricted.
o 4 - 6 weeks after surgery; most of the swelling is gone, numbness generally resolved, resume normal exercising activity, heavy lifting, etc.
o 6 months or more (varies with individual patient), last of swelling resolves.