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Chin Implants
Chin Implants
in Surrey
Many patients desire facial balance and request chin augmentation without having to “cut the chin bone”. This procedure is often combined with other procedures or may be performed as a simple out-patient procedure.
Chin augmentation is available to accomplish chin advancement and accentuation of the jaw line with the placement of custom-contoured chin implants. Support of the soft tissues of the lip, jaw line and neck is the foundation that prevents or delays aging of this area of the face.
Chin implants can be placed through an incision in the mouth or through an incision underneath the chin. Dr. Bahi is skilled in both techniques. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches, which he will discuss with you at your consultation visit.
Both techniques can achieve predictable results with successful outcomes. A discussion with Dr. Bahi will determine which technique best fits your needs.
The recovery for this minor, isolated procedure is rapid. Following the resolution of the majority of the swelling in 72 hours, most patients are able to return to work or school. A decrease in lower lip sensation is temporary and normal sensation usually returns in 14 days. Within 2 weeks, the sutures will have dissolved and the incision will begin to disappear. For the intra-oral approach, excellent oral hygiene is essential with the use of an antibiotic mouth rinse (Peridex) and tooth-brushing three times per day. The patient is placed on post-operative antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.
Genioplasty, or bony chin advancement or reduction, is a procedure that evolved from the techniques of Orthognathic (Jaw) surgery. Prior to the development of silicone chin implants, it was the only option available for chin recontouring.
However, this technique is still readily used today, and for many patients, provides a distinct advantage to chin implants. This technique is very versatile, it can be used to reduce the length, overall size or set back the prominent chin. With chin advancement, it allows the advancement of the suprahyoid musculature (muscles of the neck) for patients with weak chin/neck angles and definition. It also allows the use of the patient’s own tissue without implantation of a silicone implant. Finally, it permits the correction of both horizontal and vertical asymmetries of the chin.
Preoperative preparation is key to successful genioplasty. Dr. Bahi is well-trained in reading lateral cephalometric X-rays. He will accurately treatment plan your chin surgery by taking one of these X-rays in his office. This helps the doctor and patient decide how much chin projection is necessary to accomplish facial harmony. Some surgeons do not use this tool, which can result in a chin that is too large or too small for the person’s face.
Due to his extensive training in skeletal surgery, Dr. Bahi uses an intra-oral approach which allows a camouflage of the incision. The bony chin is positioned as planned pre-operatively with the accuracy of 0.5 mm, and then the segment is positioned with a small titanium plate. The oral incision is closed with resorbable sutures (melt away on their own) and there is no increase in the rate of infection. The bone heals rapidly over the course of 6 weeks.
The recovery for this minor, isolated procedure is rapid. Following the resolution of the majority of the swelling in 7-10 days, most patients are able to return to work or school. A decrease in lower lip sensation is temporary and normal sensation returns in 10-14 days in most patients. Within 2 weeks, the sutures will have dissolved and the incision will begin to disappear. Excellent oral hygiene is essential with the use of an antibiotic mouth rinse (Peridex) and tooth-brushing three times per day. The patient is placed on post-operative antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.