Mentoplasty (Chin Surgery)

What is Mentoplasty?

Mentoplasty (chin surgery) is a term describing the restructuring and reformation of the “mentum” region of the face. This is the most anterior portion of the jaw or mandible. Sometimes, the jaw region can be quite prominent, called "Macrogenia," or quite deficient and receded, which is called "Microgenia." By sculpting the chin through mentoplasty plastic surgery, you can achieve the aesthetically pleasing chin you have always desired.

The Mentoplasty Procedure

The Mentoplasty plastic surgery procedures is generally performed under intravenous anesthesia, but can also be performed under general anesthesia. The procedure begins with an incision made inside the mouth. The advantage of the “in the mouth incision” is that an external wound is completely avoided. It is difficult to see a healed wound underneath the chin, but nonetheless, a “transoral” or through the mouth approach is desired. Oftentimes, submental liposuction of a double chin can be performed at the same time as the mentoplasty and in this instance the incision is made underneath the chin.

The mentoplasty procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. There are a number of chin implants you may choose that assist you in achieving adequate chin resculpturing. Gortex and silicone are two of the most common implants, as they have proven to achieve optimum recontouring in many studies.

Regardless of which implant is chosen, the implant is carefully placed in front of the mandible, deep into the chin’s soft tissue in order to achieve the desired increase in projection and alteration of the contour. Each individual’s unique set of circumstances and unique physical characteristics dictate the implant requirements. Generally no screws or plates are required for mentoplasty. The implant is held in place with a suture or it is placed beneath the periosteum, which is the fibrous protective layer adherent to the jawbone.

Overall improvement is generally expected after mentoplasty and improvement in contour can easily be seen at the time of surgery. Enhancements are completely visible six to eight weeks after the mentoplasty procedure.