Chin Surgery

Chin surgery encompasses several procedures aimed at modifying the projection, shape, or harmony of the chin and facial profile. The term genioplasty refers to repositioning the chin bone (osteotomy), chin augmentation refers to using an implant, and non-surgical options include hyaluronic acid injections or fat grafting (lipofilling). These procedures are suited to patients wishing to correct a receding chin, a chin-nose imbalance, or improve overall facial harmony.

Common motivations include profile improvement, the desire for a natural and harmonious result, or the correction of an aesthetic or functional defect. The choice of technique is personalised following a medical consultation. This document is intended for general guidance and does not replace an individual consultation with the surgeon.

The Different Techniques

Advancement or recession osteotomy (chin osteoplasty)

• Description: incision most often performed inside the mouth, chin bone osteotomy, then fixation in the desired position with screws and a small plate.
• Advantages: allows significant correction of chin projection or height, with precise adjustment of bone position.
• Limitations: surgical procedure requiring a period of bone consolidation; potential risk of hypoaesthesia in the mental nerve territory.

Chin implant (prosthesis)

• Description: insertion of an anatomical, biocompatible prosthesis (silicone, CE-certified materials) via an intraoral or submental approach, placed in a prepared pocket.
• Advantages: often a simpler procedure and shorter than osteotomy, with immediate projection result.
• Limitations: risk of mobility or long-term skin erosion; need to choose an implant adapted to the anatomy; implants may sometimes require revision.

Fat grafting (lipofilling)

• Description: fat harvested by liposuction, purified, and injected at the chin level to increase volume.
• Advantages: autologous material (the patient's own), possible improvement of tissue quality.
• Limitations: partial fat resorption with possible need for revision; less predictable volume result than with an implant or osteotomy.

Hyaluronic acid injections (non-surgical option)

• Description: chin volumisation by injections to temporarily increase projection or correct symmetry.
• Advantages: quick procedure, reversible, performed in the practice.
• Limitations: temporary effect (a few months to a year depending on the product); not suitable for all anatomical profiles.

Pre-operative Consultation

The medical consultation with the surgeon allows evaluation of morphology, expectations, and history (medical, surgical, smoking, medications). The typical process includes:

• Medical interview and clinical examination of the face and jaw.
• Photography and, where useful, profile simulation.
• Explanation of the different options (osteotomy, implant, fat grafting, injections) with their advantages and limitations.
• Presentation of possible risks and anaesthetic modalities.
• Provision of a detailed written quote and written information.
• Mandatory 15-day reflection period before any aesthetic surgery.
• Obtaining informed consent if the patient decides to proceed.

Procedure

• Anaesthesia: depending on the technique and patient anxiety, chin surgery can be performed under general anaesthesia or under local anaesthesia with sedation.
• Duration: variable: approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the procedure (implant is shorter, osteotomy is longer).
• Hospitalisation: often day surgery (same-day discharge) or 24 hours' hospitalisation depending on the case.
• General steps:
• Positioning and pre-operative markings.
• Incision (intraoral to limit visible scars; sometimes submental incision depending on the technique).
• Osteotomy and bone fixation, or pocket creation and implant placement, or injections/fat grafting.
• Symmetry check and suture.
• Safety and traceability: use of compliant medical devices, recording of operative information, operative report. Adherence to intraoperative hygiene and safety recommendations.

Post-operative Recovery

• Pain and discomfort: analgesics prescribed according to intensity; frequent feeling of tension and swelling.
• Swelling and bruising: subside progressively over a few days to a few weeks.
• Diet: soft or liquid diet for a few days if the intraoral approach was used; avoid raw and traumatising foods.
• Care: enhanced oral hygiene, possible antibiotic or antiseptic prescriptions depending on the procedure.
• Resumption of activities: return to work generally after 5–15 days depending on the nature of the job; resumption of sport after 4–6 weeks avoiding impacts to the chin.
• Medical monitoring: check-up appointments at 48–72 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and depending on progress; monitoring of healing and sensitivity (mental nerve).

Results and Limitations

• Evolution: results are appreciated progressively. The bone or implant position is visible immediately but swelling often masks the final result for several weeks. For osteotomy, bone consolidation and definitive appearance stabilise over several months.
• Variability: the result varies according to anatomy, tissue quality, and individual expectations.
• Durability: osteotomies provide a long-lasting result; implants may require long-term monitoring; injections and fat grafting are more temporary.
• The importance of a personalised assessment and comprehensive planning to define the most appropriate option.

Risks and Complications

• General risks: anaesthesia-related complications, infection, bleeding, haematoma, abnormal healing.
• Specific risks: hypoaesthesia or paraesthesia of the mental nerve territory (often transient, sometimes persistent), residual asymmetry, implant displacement or exposure, partial resorption after fat grafting, localised chronic pain, need for revision surgery.
• These risks remain rare but will be detailed and explained during the pre-operative consultation, with the preventive measures implemented.

Alternatives and Non-surgical Options

• Hyaluronic acid injections: temporary alternative to improve projection or correct symmetry without surgery.
• Fat grafting: intermediate option using the patient's own fat.
• Orthodontic treatment or orthognathic surgery if jaw anomalies are the cause.
• Combinations: chin surgery can be combined with other facial procedures (rhinoplasty, face lift, jaw surgery) to achieve overall harmony.
• Each alternative has indications and limitations that will be assessed at the consultation.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Which technique should be chosen for a receding chin? The choice depends on anatomy, the chin-jaw relationship, and expectations: osteotomy allows a lasting bone modification, an implant provides immediate volume augmentation, and injections can be a trial solution. The consultation determines the appropriate option.

Are there visible scars? Scars are often intracavitary (inside the mouth) and therefore invisible externally. A submental incision may leave a small scar in the chin fold depending on the chosen technique.

How long is the recovery period? On average, 5 to 15 days depending on the procedure and the nature of the job. A progressive return to activities is recommended in agreement with the surgeon.

Can this surgery be combined with rhinoplasty? Yes, combining chin surgery with rhinoplasty is common to harmonise the facial profile. The combination is discussed during the consultation.