Chin Surgery: Genioplasty

Chin repositioning surgery is technically referred to as “Genioplasty”.
 

Why is Genioplasty done?

The chin can be moved forwards, backwards, vertically and rotated sideways to correct or enhance the position and appearance of the chin.  It has the advantage over a chin implant in that it is your own bone and not a foreign implant. A chin implant has the added disadvantage that it may move and sometimes may resorb or erode the underlying chin bone due to long term muscle tension placed upon it, hence losing it’s effect over time.
 

Altering the chin position is often done to improve facial aesthetics and is often done in combination with lower or upper jaw surgery, but can be done as a procedure on its own.  A functional improvement can sometimes be achieved by the re-positioning of the bone and muscle attachments from genioplasty resulting in improved lip closure especially in patients that have difficulty closing their lips in a relaxed position.
 

How is genioplasty done?

There are no skin incisions. An incision is done in the gums below the lower front teeth under the lower lip.  Using a fine surgical saw, the chin bone cut and then can be repositioned. The chin is secured with pre-bent titanium mini-plates. Usually, no bone grafting is needed as it is a “sliding” action and there is still good bone contact allowing the chin to heal in the new position. Occasionally, a bone graft cement is used if there is need for increase height or if there are gaps. The amount of movement will depend on the surgical planning and facial aesthetic outcome desired usually pre-planned by computerised prediction imaging. Genioplasty is often done as a day only procedure or sometimes with one overnight stay.