CHIN IMPLANT Archives - Seoul Guide Medical

We have a few facial features that determine how the overall appearance of our face is perceived. These features tend to be features that protrude out, such as the nose or the chin. If you feel like you may have a weak facial constitution or an uneven facial symmetry, chin augmentation might be something for you to consider. In this case, you’ve clicked on the right article!

Chin augmentation is usually done one out of two ways, through genioplasty or with chin implants. This procedure is usually done to help bring the chin forward and harmonize all the features of the face. Both procedures require going under a deep sleep, but for which one is a better fit, read on!

Genioplasty consists of cutting the frontal part of the mandible, or the jaw, sliding it forward and then securing the position by screwing in a titanium plate where there is a gap from the bone being slid forward. It is a much more invasive procedure than an implant, so this is something to consider.

The swelling is usually significantly increased and you may lose some feeling in your lip as the saw does cut close to some nerves near the teeth. The advantages are that results are permanent as the bone heals well after this procedure and with simulations, it is easy to see what your results afterward should look like. The chin can also be placed not only forward, but if necessary in certain other directions, and may be shaved down as well. As you read through the article you can consider this other option as well.

On average, this procedure is an outpatient procedure, meaning you are in and out the same day and usually within a few short hours. The actual procedure will take from 1-2 hours. You will be under anesthesia into a deep sleep. The stitching depends on the clinic you choose, as some choose regular stitching, which has to be removed a week later, while some clinics use dissolvable stitching, so no stitches will need to be removed during your check-up.

An incision will be made usually inside the mouth, under the lower gum. An incision can also be made underneath the chin, though the preferred method is up to you and your doctor. After the incision has been made the implant that will have been pre-made will be inserted. The incision will then be closed with stitches.

For a more detailed description of the procedure, the linked video is a great resource. It is lengthy, but an implant is a lifetime investment and something you want to make sure you get correct the first time around.

As mentioned, this is an outpatient procedure, which means recovery should also be much less than other invasive procedures. You will have stitching and maybe a chin bandage for around one week. The doctor may also keep you on a fluid diet for the initial day or two post-surgery. You will also have to sleep with your head elevated for 2-4 weeks post-op.

After that, there might be some bruising and swelling remaining for up to 3 months, in which by then you should see your full results. You should be able to return to your daily activities after that initial week. You may also feel some tightness in the skin surrounding the implant for 1-3 weeks as the skin adjusts.

The most common complications will be bruising and swelling, but more serious complications can include the implant moving or damage to the teeth are possible, though unlikely. There are some alternative procedures that can be done as well if you are concerned about the complications. If you are looking for non-surgical methods to improve the symmetry of the face relating to the chin, fillers are also an option that may be dissolved if the final look is not desired.

You can be an excellent candidate for this procedure if you feel your face is unbalanced or your chin is not visible. Also, if when looking at your profile, imagine a vertical line from your lips down. If your chin does not meet this line, there is unevenness present. This procedure is great for women who are hoping to achieve a more elegant, elongated profile. Chin implants for men are also wonderful for achieving a more masculine, square-set jaw.

This procedure is often done in conjunction with other procedures such as rhinoplasty or neck liposuction. If your nose extends further out than your chin, it can make the nose seem larger. To even out the chin and nose to create harmony among the facial features, rhinoplasty is often done at the same time. Also with implants, if there is too much fat covering the surrounding area, the implant may not stand out as well as it could, and it could, therefore, render the overall procedure as somewhat pointless. To achieve the clean, smooth jawline, removing excess fat through liposuction will help achieve these results much more clearly.

There are a variety of implants available. The best implant will vary between each individual and the desired look and feel they wish to have for their chin. There are three main categories chins are subdivided into to begin the process of selecting the perfect implant;

1. Convex, in which the chin is slightly shorter than the vertical line.
2. Vertical, in which the chin mostly looks like a vertical line.
3. Diagonal, in which the chin is has a deep-set angle inwards in which there is usually no outline of a chin from the profile.

Once your chin position is determined, and an appropriate size is discussed, the type of implant used is next up for discussion. The typical implants used are;

1. Silicone

   1. Pros; low cost, lower likelihood of inflammation occurring.
   2. Cons; Difficult to fix if there is a complication, may move more in position and rotation.

2. Gore-Tex

   1. Pros; Less bony erosion, easier to sculpt and therefore fix, and less irritation.
   2. Cons; Higher cost, a higher chance of inflammation, and an increased chance of callus formation.

3. Medpor

   1. Pros; Less bony erosion, and the texture of the material is much harder which feels much more similar to actual bone.
   2. Cons; Higher cost, it is difficult to sculpt and therefore fix, and more frequent inflammation may occur.

The typical cost for a Chin Implant in South Korea ranges from $825 – $5000 with an average cost of $2575 in Seoul. The average price for a chin implant in the US is $4950. The quality that comes along with the noticeably lower price tag is most definitely a combination that is difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

In case you were curious here are a few pictures of patients that have had this procedure done.

This procedure will improve your overall appearance. Though it is a small change in one’s facial features, it is a powerful change as the chin can be a very dominating quality of one’s aesthetics. It is an invasive procedure, though much less than its counterpart of genioplasty. I hope you kept in mind both options while reading this article and feel more confident about which procedure will suit you and your needs best. As always, consult with your doctor first about which procedure you will benefit the most from.