Chin reduction surgery, genioplasty or mentoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to either reduce or enhance the size of the chin for cosmetic purposes. A qualified cosmetic surgeon is board-certified and experienced.
What is Chin Reduction Surgery?
Chin reduction surgery, or mentoplasty, can reduce the chin size by performing reduction surgery on the jaw bone. The typical purpose is to improve the aesthetics of the lower jawline and chin to enhance the proportions of the face. Your surgeon may also recommend chin reduction surgery after rhinoplasty (cosmetic nose surgery) to restore the proportions between the nose and chin. In some cases, one may recommend mentoplasty to change the configuration of the mouth. This is to resolve issues with chewing or how the teeth fit together.
To change the profile of the chin, one may remove bone from the chin forward or may remove bone from the jaw to reduce the overall size of the chin.
How is Chin Reduction Surgery Performed?
Prior to undergoing chin reduction surgery, the patient should forgo aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
The surgeon will begin by making an incision either inside the mouth, close to the lower lip or under the chin. The physician will then remove the bone at the tip of the chin, remove the excess and then reshape the chin using wires and plates. Finally, the chin is sutured closed.
Risks of Chin Reduction Surgery
Although chin reduction surgery is a relatively simple procedure, there are possible risks.
- Swelling – You may experience swelling for weeks or even months after the surgery as the bone heals during cosmetic surgery recovery
- Infection – The risk of infection is relatively small. Follow the physician’s instructions, keep the wound site clean, and take antibiotics if prescribed. If you have a fever or if pus forms at the incision, contact your physician immediately
- Nerve damage – Nerve damage during the operation may lead to numbness in the lower lip and chin
- Reaction to anesthesia – During the operation, some people react adversely to the anesthesia. This can lead to problems breathing.
Experienced surgeons reduce risks greatly.
How to Choose a Qualified Surgeon
If you’re looking for plastic surgery on the chin, make sure you get a qualified surgeon. Begin by choosing a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Certified plastic surgeons should have the following qualifications:
- Completed at least 6 years of surgical training after medical school along with a minimum of three years of residency training.
- Perform surgery in an accredited and state licensed/Medicare-certified facility.
The physician should be able to provide cosmetic surgery before and after pictures for surgeries they have worked on. Choose a physician that has worked on patients like you and achieved the type of results you desire.
If you are looking for a surgical center for chin reduction surgery. We have highly experienced cosmetic surgeons. Call us today at 866.930.5837.