Chin Surgery before and after photos are displayed with patient consent.

What is Genioplasty?

Genioplasty or Mentoplasty is a surgical procedure used to improve the shape or projection of the chin. It can offer one of the most striking cosmetic facial changes. The sliding genioplasty is used for augmenting or reducing the chin. A receding chin is due to underdevelopment of the lower face and jaw. This is frequently a genetic condition and may be seen in other family members. Genioplasty can also be used to reduce a chin that is too prominent.

Sliding genioplasty or chin augmentation can also tighten the sagging skin under the jaw. Neck liposuction can also enhance the chin and address fatty or sagging neck skin.

Chin Surgery

Before and After Photo of a Chin Augmentation

Genioplasty is a type of jaw surgery involving the front portion of the lower jaw. Chin Surgery may involve the use of  an anatomic chin implant or procedures such as genioplasty or mentoplasty. Chin Surgery can make one of the most striking cosmetic facial changes. A receding chin is usually due to the underdevelopment of the lower face and jaw. This is frequently a genetic condition and may be seen in other family members.  The Genioplasty procedure can improve the receding or small chin and also may reduction a chin that is too prominent.

In addition to complimenting the profile, genioplasty can also tighten the sagging skin under the chin. Neck liposuction may also enhance the chin and address fatty or sagging neck skin. The various types of chin surgeries are described and illustrated below.

Genioplasty

Genioplasty provides a way of moving the actual chin portion of the jawbone forward or backward. This surgery is often called a Sliding Genioplasty. Dr. Joseph makes an incision inside the mouth below the lower lip, which will avoid any scars on the face. The sliding genioplasty is used in more severe cases or in cases where the chin needs to be lengthened or moved backward. The actual bony chin portion of the jaw is then cut and advanced or moved back. This segment is then secured with a tiny bone screw or wire. This may require outpatient general anesthesia. You may return to normal activities within 5-10 days.

The photograph below shows a model of a sliding genioplasty. The Sliding Genioplasty advances the patient’s actual chin by moving the lower portion of the jaw.

Photograph of a Sliding Genioplasty

Other Chin and Jaw Surgery Procedures

Chin Implants

The Chin Implants offer another approach to chin augmentation. This operation takes about 45 minutes and is performed in the office with IV sedation. It requires a 5-10 day recovery. New technology in biomaterials has shown silicone implants to be very successful and extremely well tolerated by the body. The new anatomic chin implants are natural feeling and follow the contours of the normal jaw line. They come in many shapes and sizes to fit the anatomy and esthetics of each patient.

The implants can be placed through an incision inside the mouth avoiding a scar on the face. After chin surgery, the patient will experience minor swelling, bruising and temporary numbness of the lower lip. These conditions usually resolve over 1-2 weeks.

The photograph below shows a model of a chin implant.

Chin Implant Photograph

Chin Asymmetry

Some patients have crooked chins that are not lined up with the normal facial structures. The chin may be off to one side giving the face an asymmetric appearance. This can be corrected or improved by moving the chin tip to the left or right with a sliding genioplasty.

Mandibular Angle Implants

Many patients are deficient in the lateral (side) portion of the jaw. This gives them a weak jawline. Mandibular angle implants can provide a more square, contoured or chiseled appearance of the lower face and jawline.

Before and After Photographs of Chin Augmentations

Please note that these pre and post-operative photos are displayed with the consent of the individuals depicted.

Select a patient below to view more detailed pictures and information about the chin surgery procedures performed by Dr. Joseph.