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Overview
What Is Genioplasty?
Genioplasty is surgery to change the size, shape, or position of the chin. Unlike nonsurgical chin enhancement, which may use injectable fillers or other temporary treatments, genioplasty may move, reshape, or augment the chin using a surgical technique. The procedure can be planned to improve facial balance and, in selected cases, address concerns related to chin position or function.
Who It's For
Who Is Genioplasty For?
People may consider genioplasty if they have a recessed, prominent, asymmetrical, or long chin, or if they want improved facial balance. Candidacy depends on the structure of the chin and jaw, oral health, overall health, and personal goals. A consultation is important because another treatment, such as orthodontic or jaw surgery, may be more appropriate for some concerns.
- Facial growth should be complete before elective genioplasty is considered.
- Stable general health and good oral health support safer planning and healing.
- Patients should have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot change.
- Patients should be willing to follow recovery and mouth-care instructions.
- Procedure costs, alternatives, and financing options should be discussed during consultation.
Preparation
How to Prepare for Genioplasty
Before genioplasty surgery, the surgeon reviews your goals, facial proportions, medical and dental history, medications, allergies, and nicotine use. Facial measurements, photographs, or imaging may help with planning. The team also discusses anesthesia, the planned technique, possible risks, alternatives, expected recovery, and informed consent.
- Follow your surgical team’s instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before anesthesia.
- Ask whether any prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements need to be changed.
- Avoid smoking and nicotine as directed because they can interfere with healing.
- Arrange transportation home and help with initial recovery if recommended.
- Prepare a comfortable recovery area with approved medicines, soft foods, and oral-care supplies.
During the Procedure / What to Expect
What Happens During Genioplasty?
Genioplasty is performed under anesthesia. The surgeon usually reaches the chin through an incision inside the mouth or, in some cases, through an incision beneath the chin. Following the surgical plan, the surgeon may reshape the chin, move a section of chin bone, or place an implant or other augmentation material.
Sliding genioplasty
In sliding genioplasty, the surgeon cuts a segment of the chin bone and moves it forward, backward, upward, downward, or to one side. The segment is secured in its new position, often with plates or screws selected for the case. The incision is then closed, dressings may be applied, and the patient is monitored as they recover from anesthesia; the technique and time involved vary by case.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits and Risks of Genioplasty
| Potential benefits | Potential risks and limitations |
|---|---|
| Improved chin projection, size, shape, or facial balance | Swelling, bruising, discomfort, or temporary numbness |
| Correction of a recessed, prominent, long, or asymmetrical chin | Infection, bleeding, wound-healing problems, or asymmetry |
| A more defined jawline or proportionate facial profile | Bite or dental concerns, hardware problems, or need for revision |
| Possible improvement in selected chin-related functional concerns | Dissatisfaction with appearance or a result that differs from expectations |
Results depend on anatomy, the technique used, healing, and expectations. Genioplasty before-and-after photographs can help illustrate possible changes, but they are examples rather than guarantees and may not predict your result.
Recovery
Recovery After Genioplasty
Early recovery after genioplasty may include swelling, bruising, tightness, discomfort, and temporary numbness around the chin or lower lip. Your surgeon may prescribe medicines and provide instructions for eating, brushing, rinsing, and caring for the incision. Follow-up visits help assess healing, but the recovery experience and schedule vary from person to person.
- Protect the incision and follow all wound-care instructions from your surgical team.
- Follow recommended eating, drinking, brushing, and mouth-rinsing instructions.
- Avoid strenuous activity until your surgeon says it is safe to resume.
- Attend scheduled follow-up visits even if healing appears to be progressing normally.
- Allow swelling to settle before judging the final contour or comparing genioplasty before-and-after photographs.
Before & After
Genioplasty Before and After
Genioplasty before-and-after comparisons may show changes in chin projection, chin length, symmetry, jawline contour, and overall facial balance. Swelling, lighting, camera angle, facial expression, and the timing of the photographs can affect how results appear. Sliding genioplasty before-and-after images may also show how moving the chin bone changes the side profile.
Interpreting results
Photo guidance
Compare standardized views from appropriately consented patients and ask whether the examples resemble your anatomy and goals. Treat photographs as illustrations of possible outcomes, not promises of what your result will be.
When to Call a Doctor
When to Call a Doctor After Genioplasty
- Contact your surgical team about severe or worsening pain that is not controlled as directed.
- Seek prompt advice for rapidly increasing swelling or bleeding that does not stop with recommended pressure.
- Report fever, pus, foul-smelling drainage, or increasing redness around the incision.
- Call promptly if the wound separates or hardware appears exposed.
- Seek urgent medical assessment for new breathing or swallowing difficulty.
- Report sudden facial weakness or another new neurological change without delay.
Get medical help
Urgent symptoms
Follow your surgeon’s emergency instructions and seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, or other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. When in doubt, contact the surgical team rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.
