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What is the Difference between a Chin Implant (Genioplasty) and a Jaw Implant (Madibular Augmentation)?

Phone the plastic surgery clinic team for Dr Hunt or Dr Maryam on 02 9327 1733 to make an enquiry or book an appointment. For more information or to request a consultation with Dr Jeremy Hunt or Dr Maryam Seyedabadi, Please contact us and a member of the plastic surgery team will be in touch shortly.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jeremy Hunt has completed many chin procedures in Australia. Dr Hunt is a Sydney plastic surgeon who practices in Sydney and Wollongong.

Plastic Surgeon Dr Maryam Seyedabadi consults at the Woollahra Clinic in East Sydney and is available now for consultations on a range of plastic surgery & cosmetic surgery.

What is a Chin Implant (Genioplasty) and Jaw Implant (Mandibular Augmentation) ?

· Chin Implant (Genioplasty)

A Chin Implant surgery (genioplasty) or chin augmentation is a surgical procedure that transforms the appearance of your chin. During the surgery, a silicon chin implant will be inserted into your chin with the aim of making it look more prominent.

· Jaw Implant (Mandibular Augmentation)

A jaw implant is a surgical procedure that involves adding an implant into the jaw to give your jaw and chin a more prominent appearance. The goal of this treatment is to balance out the proportions of the face and alter the facial contour.

How are the Chin & Jaw Procedures Performed?

chin implant jaw implant - how procedures are performed - Dr Jeremy Hunt Leading Plastic Surgeon Sydney NSW

Jaw Implant Surgery (Mandibular Augmentation)

  • The surgery will begin with general anaesthesia
  • Then, your surgeon will make an incision on the inside of the mouth
  • Once the incision is made, the implant will be placed in the space made along the jawbone
  • The surgeon will close the incisions with the sutures and apply a bandage over the chin and jaw area
  • The procedure generally takes an hour to complete and you will most likely be allowed to go home on the same day of the surgery

Chin Implant Surgery (Genioplasty)

  • The surgery will begin with general or local anaesthesia
  • Then, your surgeon will create a small incision. The placement of the incision can be made under the chin or on the inside of the mouth
  • Through this incision, the surgeon will create the required space for an implant
  • The implant will be placed inside and fitted along the chin bone
  • The incisions will be closed with sutures, followed by dressings and bandages

Preparing for Jaw Implant (Mandibular Augmentation) or Chin Implant Surgery (Genioplasty)

The preparation process for both jaw and chin implants are quite similar. Here are a few suggestions that will help you prepare for the surgery:

  • It is important to quit smoking a few weeks prior to the surgery as it can hinder the healing process
  • Avoid blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements as they can worsen bruising and lead to excess bleeding
  • Make sure to arrange for someone to drive you home on the day of the surgery as you will still be under the effects of anaesthesia and it is deemed unsafe
  • Get all the medical tests done required by your surgeon to ensure this procedure is right for you

Download Dr Hunt’s

Facial Rejuvenation Guide

The facial procedures guide has been created by Dr Hunt and his team as a useful tool to help you plan and consider these procedures. Throughout the guide, we will discuss the ins and outs of different types of surgery what makes a suitable candidate, pre-surgery planning answers to the most frequently asked questions received from patients.

Download

Facial Rejuvenation Guide

Facial Rejuvenation Guide

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Recovery after Chin Implant (Genioplasty) and Jaw Implant Surgery (Mandibular Augmentation)

Chin Implant (Genioplasty)

Most patients who undergo chin implants require only a week off work and can go back to their regular activities within a week or two. The discomfort associated with the surgery is generally minimal and can be alleviated with the pain medications prescribed. Your surgeon might ask you to use a cold compress for a few days post the surgery.

Make sure to sleep on your back with your head in an elevated position for the first 2 weeks post-surgery. It will minimise the swelling and help protect your incisions. You will be asked to consume a liquid diet for the initial day or two. Make sure to follow all the instructions given by your surgeon.

Take care of your incisions and keep them clean and dry at all times. Make sure to go to your follow up appointment to ensure you are healing well. You will be able to see the results of the surgery in about one-month post-surgery. Final results will be seen in about 3 to four months’ time frame.

Jaw Implant (Mandibular Augmentation)

You will be able to see the results in about one week of the surgery. Expect to have a lot of bruising during the first two weeks post-surgery. You can use a cold compress along with the prescribed medications to minimise swelling and discomfort.

You will be required to sleep with your head elevated. Most patients will be able to return back to work in about a week or two post the surgery. You will be asked to come in for a follow-up appointment, a week after the surgery to get the stitches removed and ensure you are healing at the right pace.

Potential Risks and Complications of Jaw and Chin Implants

The risks and side effects associated with chin and jaw implants are quite similar. They can include swelling, infection leading to the removal of the implant, complications from anaesthesia, prolonged scarring, excessive bleeding, a shifted implant which can result in the need for corrective surgery, allergic reaction to an implant, scarring, bruising, numbness, and nerve damage.

It is important to follow all the pre and post-treatment care instructions given by your surgeon and choose the right surgeon in the first place to reduce the risks and complications associated with the surgery.

Results of Chin and Jaw Implant Surgery

Chin Implant (Genioplasty)

Most people will see the final results of the chin implant surgery in about three to four months. By this time, all the swelling will subside down and you will be able to enjoy the results to the fullest.

Jaw Implant (Mandibular Augmentation)

You will be able to see the results in about one week’s time frame. However, the swelling will take a few months to subside down until you can see the final outcome of the surgery.

Which Procedure is More Suitable for Me?

If you would only like to address the appearance of your chin, a chin implant (genioplasty) is the most suitable option for you. However, if you wish to add more definition to your jaw area along with the chin, jaw implant surgery (mandibular augmentation) may help.

With that being said, there is more to getting a surgical procedure than your choice. The best way to determine the suitability of any of these procedures for you is to book an appointment with a plastic surgeon. He/she will have a close look at your face, review your medical history, listen to your aesthetic goals and then create a suitable action plan for you.

While you can educate yourself on different procedures, the final call will be made by the plastic surgeon.

FAQS about Chin Implant (Genioplasty) and Jaw Implant Surgery (Mandibular Augmentation)

Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding chin and jaw implants:

Do chin implants (genioplasty) last forever?

  • Most silicone chin & jaw implants can last for a lifetime. If the implants are taken from bone or fat tissue that is taken from the body, they might get partially reabsorbed.

Does a chin implant (genioplasty) change your smile?

  • The chin implant is placed under the chin which is one of the many muscles that impact the movement of lips that can bring a temporary change in your smile.

How painful is a chin implant (genioplasty)?

  • Chin implant is typically performed under anaesthesia. You won’t experience any pain during the procedure. Some patients will experience discomfort post-surgery but is usually countered with pain killers.

What can go wrong with a chin implant (genioplasty)?

  • Infections, oral incompetence, displacement of the implant, damage of the mental nerve, and bone resorption are some of the possible complications that may be associated with a chin implant.

Can your body reject a chin implant (genioplasty)?

  • Silicone is rather inert in the human body. Rejection typically doesn’t occur in the case of a chin implant. However, it can become infected, in which case it may have to be removed, but that is very rare.

Do chin implants (genioplasty) look natural?

  • Chin implants are designed to look fairly natural but requires careful design from a plastic surgeon.

Why should I have a chin implant (genioplasty)?

People have different reasons to undergo a chin implant surgery. You might consider a chin implant (genioplasty) if :

  • You wish to reduce the appearance of a double chin
  • You want to improve balance to your chin and face
  • You want to strengthen the look of a recessed and underdeveloped chin

Does health insurance cover chin implants (genioplasty)?

  • Australian Medicare and health insurance providers do not usually cover the cost of chin implant surgery (genioplasty) as it is considered purely cosmetic.

Can a chin implant (genioplasty) make you sick?

  • Although chin implant surgery (genioplasty) is considered to be a fairly safe procedure, infections can occur. Some of the possible signs of chin infection include redness, pain, weeping or draining wound, and fever.

Can a chin implant (genioplasty) shift?

  • Yes, the implant could shift and move immediately post-surgery or after some time.

Can chin implant surgery (genioplasty) make my face slim?

  • A chin implant may help to balance out your face, make your nose look smaller, and alter the look of your neckline. This can give the illusion of a slimmer face.

What qualifies as a weak chin?

  • Take a picture of your facial profile. Have a close look at the position of your chin with respect to the lower lip. If the chin’s forward-most point is forward or on the same vertical plane as your lower lip, you have a strong chin. If your chin lies behind this point, your chin is considered weak or regresssive.

How can I hide my weak chin?

  • Men may hide it with beards. For women, it is quite difficult but with a makeup contouring technique, it can be masked. Chin implant surgery (genioplasty) is a permanent surgical option.

Mentoplasty vs genioplasty: what is the main difference?

  • There’s actually no difference between genioplasty and mentoplasty. They both are designed to alter the look of your chin in order to meet your aesthetic preferences.

Can I see chin implant (genioplasty) before & after pictures during the consultation?

  • Of course, once you come in for a consultation, you will be shown before and after pictures of past chin surgery patients.

Chin augmentation vs chin implant: What’s the difference?

  • They are essentially the same procedure. These two names are used interchangeably and there is no difference between the two.

What is sliding genioplasty?

  • A sliding genioplasty is a surgery where the shape of the chin is changed by moving the chin bone forward, rather than using a chin implant.

Further Reading about Chin Surgery

Medical References


About Dr Jeremy Hunt – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.

Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has ensured that thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia have received high quality surgical care.

Dr Hunt’s qualifications and education

Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgery. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.

Next Step – Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt

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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.

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