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Augmentation mentoplasty; Genioplasty
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.
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:
It may also be necessary to move some bones:
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.
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.
McGrath MH. Elective plastic surgical procedures in adolescence. Adolesc Med Clin. 2004;15(3):487-502.
Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2005:chap 34.
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