When you look at your profile, what’s the first feature you notice? For many people, it’s their chin–or lack thereof. For those with a small, weak, or receding chins, the natural size and shape of their chin can lead to an overall dissatisfaction with their appearance and lack of self-confidence in their day-to-day lives. Chin augmentation with a one-of-a-kind chin implant can help create the profile you’ve always wanted. This is just one of the many top-quality treatments and procedures available at Mountain State Cosmetic Surgery in Beckley, WV.
What Is a Chin Implant?
A chin implant is an aesthetic piece specially created for each individual patient. Made from solid silicon or bio-compatible materials, the implant achieves a firm, natural look under the skin and typically results in a more pronounced appearance. By inserting a chin implant, a doctor can change a person’s profile, strengthen their jawline, and correct symmetry or aesthetic issues in one simple step. An implant can make you appear younger, more attractive, and more confident.
Implant Types and Placements
As an aesthetic procedure, a chin augmentation is relatively new. However, the materials and techniques used have improved steadily over the past years. Today, most implants are crafted using medical-grade solid silicon. These implants are tailored to each person’s features and ideal results, making them truly unique. Unlike other silicon implants, they hold no liquid and, for the majority of patients, they will never need to be replaced. These implants are inserted into the chin through a discreet incision under the chin.
Another popular option for implants is a biocompatible material such as Medpor or GoreTex. These implants are typically inserted through a small incision in the mouth. Your doctor can discuss the best implant material for you and give you more guidelines what is a chin implant. In general, both major options are long-lasting and can be used to create a natural-looking shape that will flatter your features.
Benefits
A receding chin can result in a face that appears unbalanced and a profile that leaves many patients feeling self-conscious. If you feel like your chin is holding you back, an implant could be the perfect solution. As a procedure, it carries few risks for most patients and is effective at delivering good results for almost everyone.
There is a relatively easy recovery period with minimal downtime, and the results are considered among the longest-lasting in the implant world. Best of all, getting your own implant can change the way you see yourself. You’ll be amazed at how this simple procedure can boost your confidence!
Implant Process
While it is considered a minor procedure, a chin augmentation should always be performed by an experienced doctor. Your doctor will oversee the implant process from start to finish, help you decide on which size and shape your implant should be to achieve your ideal appearance, perform the procedure, and evaluate your healing process to reduce your risk of infection or complications.
In addition, they’ll be available to answer any questions you may have during this process. It’s important that you always carefully follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure that you’ll see the best results possible.
Consultation
The first step to re-designing your chin is sitting down with your doctor for an initial consultation. This appointment allows your doctor to examine your chin in person. They’ll most likely take before pictures and measurements to help them recommend the best implant for you. You’ll be able to give input during this appointment as well as ask questions while your doctor makes suggestions.
During your consultation, you should be prepared to disclose your medical history, any previous facial procedures, and any current medications which may interact negatively with surgery. Your doctor will evaluate your general readiness for surgery, factoring in your mental and emotional state as well as any medical conditions which may put you at risk for complications. Once you’re approved for a chin augmentation, it’s time to begin preparing for your procedure.
Preparation
Getting ready for your chin augmentation procedure is a relatively easy process. You should complete any lab testing or medical evaluation your doctor prescribes in advance of your surgery date to ensure that your doctor has all the information they need to perform the procedure. In addition, you should adjust your medication intake based on your doctor’s recommendations.
This will vary from patient to patient but generally involves avoiding blood-thinning medications, pain relievers, and some herbal remedies which can lead to excessive bruising or bleeding. If you are a smoker, you should quit well in advance of your surgery as nicotine has been shown to slow the body’s healing process. You may also consider stopping smoking permanently for your overall health. If you have questions about how smoking affects your body, you should speak with your doctor.
You should stop drinking alcohol approximately one week before your surgery. Your doctor may instruct you to avoid some facial treatments such as microdermabrasion, micro-needling, tanning, or exfoliants to prevent you from irritating the skin on and around your chin prior to surgery.
Procedure
On the day of your surgery, your doctor will ask you to bring a family member or friend to your appointment to drive you home after the procedure is complete. Your doctor will show you the implant and answer any last-minute questions you may have before you are given anesthesia. Once you are asleep, your doctor will make an incision under your chin or inside your mouth at the base of your bottom front teeth where the gum meets the lower lip. They’ll gently insert your implant and position it until it reaches the predetermined desired appearance.
Once your doctor is satisfied with the implant’s positioning, they use small sutures to close the incision before cleaning the area and applying a dressing to protect your skin as it heals. The entire implantation process usually takes 30-45 minutes. You’ll wake up after your surgery is complete and be monitored for a short time before you’re allowed to return home to recover. You’ll be able to take a look at your new chin as soon as you wake up. Your results are instant, although the area will most likely be more swollen than normal directly after surgery.
Recovery
For the first three to five days, your chin and the surrounding area will probably feel sore and tender. This is normal and can be addressed with mild pain relievers prescribed by your doctor. You should leave any dressing in place until your doctor tells you to remove it and clean the incision site. The first week should involve mostly soft foods and liquids to avoid irritating the area with excessive chewing. As the incision and implant site heals, your skin will slowly feel less tight and swelling will decrease. Most patients return to work in one to two days.
The majority of your normal activities, excluding rigorous exercise, can be resumed within the first 10 days of recovery. You can return to your normal exercise routine a few weeks after surgery. Most patients find that their healing is complete six weeks after their chin augmentation. After this time, all bruising, tenderness, and swelling should be gone. For those with an incision site under their chin, the resulting scar typically fades over the first year and is barely noticeable after this point.
Results
Although you’ll see your results directly after surgery, it takes time for your body to heal and for swelling to decrease. You can expect to see your final results within six months of your surgery. In the first five to six weeks of recovery, you should notice a change in the size and shape of your chin, resulting in a difference in your appearance and profile.
Your facial features should be more balanced, and you may even find that you appear younger and slimmer than you did before your augmentation thanks to the definition your new chin provides. Over the first year, any scar under the chin from the incision should have faded. After this point, all you need to do is enjoy your new look.
Your doctor can give you a general idea of how long you can expect your implant to last, but most patients find that their implants require little to no attention for years after surgery thanks to the durable materials used. Your final result should be indiscernible from a natural chin and give your face the new shape you desired, leaving you feeling more attractive and more confident in every situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Changing My Chin Really Change My Whole Appearance?
It’s easy to think that a feature as small as the chin couldn’t have a big impact on our appearance. However, your chin can mean the difference between a face that appears youthful and healthy and a face that appears older or unhealthy. A receding chin elongates the neck and can create the illusion of loose or sagging skin under the chin, making you appear older or heavier than you are.
Traditionally, a defined chin has been viewed as a sign of good health and confidence, making it a factor in determining someone’s overall attractiveness. If you see your own chin as too weak or receding, a chin implant can help correct this concern. In addition, an implant can easily balance features which some patients view as overpowering their face or profile prior to their chin augmentation.
Your implant can be carefully designed to meet your specific needs. Whether you want a small augmentation or a more drastic change, an implant can be created for you.
Can an Implant Be Removed?
If you are unsatisfied with your results or wish to reverse your augmentation in the future, your chin implant can be removed through a simple surgical procedure. However, this reversal is rare as patient satisfaction with chin augmentations is typically high, leaving no reason for removal other than replacing the implant if needed. Your doctor can help you evaluate this decision if you ever desire to remove your implant.
Can an Implant Move Once Implanted?
Once it’s in place and your chin has healed, your implant should remain where it is. However, during the first few weeks after surgery, it is possible that a patient could unintentionally bump the implant out of place. This may happen during sleep, exercise, or through habitual motions, like resting your chin on your hand.
For most patients, implant movement is uncommon. However, the only way to correct a misplaced implant is a follow-up surgery to reposition your implant. Your doctor can give you specific instructions on how to avoid disturbing your implant as your body heals after the procedure.
Will My Implant Be Noticeable?
Some patients are apprehensive about how drastically an implant could change their profile or whether other people will be notice the change. If you’ve sought the care of a talented and experienced doctor, your implant should be made to blend seamlessly into your current profile. Your chin will protrude more and be noticeably more defined, but the results will not look unnatural as all your features will be balanced and symmetrical. People will likely notice that something is different, but no one will be able to tell that you had an implant inserted unless you tell them.
What Other Chin Augmentation Options Are Available?
When it comes to transforming your chin, there are three basic options available: fillers, implants, and jawbone surgery. Fillers, which are non-invasive and involve little discomfort or recovery, are a viable option for some patients. However, the results are not permanent and the volume which can be added is minimal. This means that the degree to which your doctor can re-shape your chin is also minimal. Implants are considered the most popular choice among doctors due to their nearly endless customization options.
Finally, a separate surgery which involves cutting and repositioning the jaw is an extreme option for those patients who may experience a more pronounced aesthetic issue. This surgery is more intensive and involves a longer recovery time, making it inconvenient for most patients. While you can consult your doctor about any of these augmentation options, most professionals agree that implants are able to meet the expectations of the majority of patients.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
This procedure is considered safe and effective for the majority of patients. Beyond this, it is highly customizable as implants can be created to re-shape every chin. Your doctor will evaluate you for concerns such as high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, scarring tendencies, and habits such as smoking prior to your surgery. If these conditions will interact negatively with surgery, your doctor may recommend a different option to address your cosmetic concerns.
Put Your Best Face Forward With a Chin Implant!
If you’re dissatisfied with the appearance of your chin, an implant could be the perfect solution. An implant can create a younger-looking, more attractive profile, leaving you feeling more confident in the way you look and feel. With a simple surgery and recovery process, you could achieve results that transform the way you see yourself for years to come.
Ready to learn more about what is a chin implant and how it will help you get the look you’ve always wanted? Contact the professionals at Mountain State Cosmetic Surgery in Beckley, WV to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to serving you and helping you reach your aesthetic goals!
