Why Surgery?
The chin is considered to be one of the main balancing points of the face along with the cheek width, forehead height and nose shape. The main purpose of having a chin implant (also known as a mentoplasty) is to restore a sense of balance and symmetry to a face that might appear crooked as the result of a recessed, protruding or absent chin.
Sometimes chin implants are recommended along with a nose plastic surgery in order to harmonize the different elements of the entire face.
Chin Implants Plastic Surgery
Like all facial implants, cosmetic chin implants can achieve a drastic difference in a person’s appearance. With this type of reconstructive plastic surgery it is important for you to be healthy emotionally so that you make wise choices about what type of chin implant will best suit your facial structure.
You might also have to be prepared to be psychologically and emotionally strong if the operation needs to be redone as implants always run the risk of shifting during the healing process.
As with all major surgery, a chin implant procedure does pose the risk of infection, bleeding or an allergic reaction to anesthesia. If an infection does occur as the result of an implant, then usually the procedure is to remove the chin implant entirely and replace it once the infection has cleared up.
A chin implant is considered to be a prosthetic appliance that must be accepted or rejected by the human body. Unlike other cosmetic implants like breast implants and buttock implants, most chin implants are made of solid silicone that is slightly harder than normal human bone.
Are You a Suitable Candidate?
As with any type of major plastic surgery, you will not be considered to be a good candidate for a chin implant if you have a history of psychological instability or are suffering from an autoimmune disorder. You may also be encouraged to quit smoking before having this operation, as it requires a small incision inside the mouth.
You may not be a candidate for this type of operation if you suffer from extreme gum disease or dental problems in your lower jaw. Also this type of operation succeeds the most in individuals who have a normal dental bite.
As a chin implant can drastically change your appearance it is very important that you spend as much consultation time as possible with the plastic surgeon who is to do the operation so that both of you are satisfied that the look you want can be achieved.
Sometimes it helps to bring photographs of individuals who have similar facial features as yours but who also have type of chin you desire to these consultations.
Since almost all chin implant prosthetics are made from solid silicone, there is a good chance that your body will never reject the chin implant, and that your immune system will ignore the presence of the silicone implant. Solid silicone is one of the least reactive substances with the human body; this is the reason for the material’s usage by surgeons. The main risk to be aware of is a small risk of infection from the actual incision used the place the implant within the body.
One of our partners in the legal industry, CG Solicitors reports in that chin implant issues almost never show up in their medical negligence claims work within Ireland. They are based in Dublin and handle a large number of medical negligence claims across all of Ireland. It’s important to understand what happens with trends in foreign countries and medical malpractice, as data in the USA can be skewed, hidden or downplayed by major media.
Therefore, a chin implant is one of the least risky plastic surgery options that you can choose to have performed.
Procedure
Before you have the operation you might be instructed to take antibiotics as a preventative measure against infection. The operation usually takes three to four hours and is done on as either an inpatient or outpatient procedure depending on the extent of the work that needs to be done.
It is almost always done under general anesthesia although it has been known to be performed under local anesthesia.
The procedure itself is quite simple and the actual insertion of your new silicone chin only takes about half an hour. A small incision may be made just under the chin or inside the mouth and the implant is slid into place.
The incision is then stitched up with sutures and the face is taped up to prevent the chin implant from sliding out of place. If the incision is made inside the mouth, the surgeon will most likely use sutures that dissolve on their own. IF it is made on the chin, stronger sutures will be used that are removed within seven to ten days.
Chin Implants Surgery – Recovery
Recovering from chin surgery can be quite uncomfortable as the face can become very swollen for several days. Most people experience difficulty smiling, talking and eating during this time. It is also common for the neck and chin to be streaked with black and blue marks. You can also expect to be consuming liquid meals only for about ten days.
If you can it is advisable to ask your plastic surgeon if your chin lift implant is of the type that can be inserted inside the mouth. This is preferable as this method will leave no external scar on your chin or face at all.
