Chin augmentation

A chin augmentation is a surgical procedure to reshape or enhance the size of the chin. It may be done either by inserting an implant or by moving or reshaping bones.

Description

Surgery may be performed in the surgeon's office, a hospital, or an outpatient clinic.

You will have x-rays taken of your face and chin. The doctor will use these x-rays to determine what part of the chin to operate on.
When you need only an implant to round out the chin:

You may be under general anesthesia (unconscious and not able to feel pain), or you may receive local numbing medicine along with a medicine that will make you relaxed and sleepy.
A cut is made, either inside the mouth or outside under the chin. A pocket is created in front of the chin bone and under the muscles, and the implant is placed inside.
The surgeon may use real bone or fat tissue, or an implant made out of silicone, Teflon, Dacron, or newer biological inserts.
The implant is usually attached to the bone with sutures or screws.
Sutures are used to close the surgical cut. When the cut is inside the mouth, the scar is barely visible.

It may also be necessary to move some bones:

You will likely be under general anesthesia.
The surgeon will make a cut inside the mouth along the lower gum. This gives the surgeon access to the chin bone.
The surgeon uses a bone saw or chisel to make a second cut through the jaw bone. The jaw bone is moved to the desired position and wired or screwed in place.
The cut is closed with stitches and a bandage is applied. Because the surgery is performed inside the mouth, you will not see any scars.
The procedure takes less than an hour to approximately 3 hours.

Chin augmentation is commonly done at the same time as a nose job (rhinoplasty) or facial liposuction (when fat is removed from under the chin and neck).
Surgery to correct bite problems can be done at the same time as chin surgery.

Why the Procedure is Performed

Chin augmentation is usually done to balance the face by making the chin longer or bigger compared to the nose. The best candidates for chin augmentation are people with weak or receding chins (microgenia), but who have a normal dental bite.
Before your surgery, discuss your expectations about looking and feeling better with the plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection.

Risks

The most common complications of chin augmentation are:

Bruising
Movement of the implant
Swelling

Other possible complications include:

Damage to the teeth
Loss of sensation

Rare side effects include:

Blood clots
Infection that can sometimes require removing the implant
Pain that does not go away
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation

Although most patients are happy with the outcome, poor cosmetic results that may require additional surgery include:

Wounds that do not heal well
Unpleasant scarring
Asymmetry of the face
Fluid that collects under the skin
Irregular skin shape (contour)

Nicotine from smoking can delay healing.

After the Procedure

You will feel some discomfort and soreness, which you can easily control with medication.
You may feel some numbness in your chin for up to 3 months, and a stretching sensation around your chin for 1 week. Most of the swelling will be gone by 6 weeks, depending on the type of procedure you had.
You might have to stick to a liquid or soft diet for at least a day or two.
You'll probably have the outside bandage removed within a week of surgery. You may be asked to wear a brace while you are sleeping for 4 - 6 weeks.
You can resume light activity the day of surgery. You should be able to return to work and your usual activities within 7 - 10 days. Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions.

Are You A Candidate For Chin Augmentation?

First and foremost, an individual must be in good health, not have any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery. Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals. You must be able to voice your desires to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are. Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure. This is an operation which requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period. There is sometimes a lull or depression after surgery and if there is already a pre-existing emotional problem, this low period can develop into a more serious issue. Please consider this before committing to a procedure.

You must have no bone disorders, are not or have not been on Accutane for the last 6 months or sometimes more (it causes excessive facial bone growth, called Hyperostosis, and increased, keloid-like scarring after skin trauma (such as incisions). Only a qualified plastic surgeon can determine this after speaking to you as well as going over your medical history, examining your facial structure and skin. You must realize that no doctor can perform miracles but a highly skilled surgeon can transform what you do have into a more balanced look altogether.

Procedure Costs

The costs of chin augmentation surgery varies significantly between surgeons, medical facilities, and regions of the country. Patients who need additional or more extensive surgery will require more intensive and expensive treatment. In non-private surgery centers or in-office Operating Rooms the prices may include the following. However, in hospitals, surgery charges can usually be separated into five parts:

the surgeon's fee
the anesthesiologist's fee (if applicable)
the hospital charges, which includes nursing care and the operating room
the medications (antibiotics, topicals, dressings)
and any additional charges

All fees are averages; out-patient charges, including surgeon fees, anesthesia, Operating Room charges, and implants if applicable - unless otherwise noted. Lab fees, such as "blood work", are normally an extra $35. - $75., plus medications are usually an additional $120. Physicals are more, HIV tests are additional and any other fees that you may be responsible for (X-rays, etc.). If you are to be staying in a hospital or are opting for home healthcare - these expenses are additional. This factor really depends upon the region, surgeon, etc.
Injectable Products
This usually requires no surgical team, operating room or anesthesia other than local/regional and possibly an oral sedative. The costs are significantly lower regarding the procedure it self, although the product may be more expense and cc (cubic centimeters of product) do add up. Inquire beforehand regarding your needs and the going price at that time for the desired product. Also inquire regarding touch ups for permanent injectables.
Various Options And Their Average Costs

with implant(s), $2,400. - $7,500.
with injectables $500. - $2,500.
fat grafting $500. - $3,000.
sliding genioplasty $2,500. - $8,500.

It is unlikely that chin augmentation performed solely for cosmetic purposes will be covered by most insurance policies. Insurance coverage is reserved for treatments required for some health or restorative purpose. This issue of coverage is the same across all fields of medicine, including dentistry. Dental insurance plans will not cover aesthetic dental care in form of teeth whitening, Lumineers, etc.

*Costs for medications, blood tests, and emergency surgeries, if applicable, are not included.