Mentoplasty or chin surgery is a cosmetic procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to alter the appearance of the chin. This involves either chin augmentation with surgical
implants or bone shaping to reduce and/or contour the area to achieve the desired outcome. Usually mentoplasty is performed for cosmetic reasons; however some patients may pursue chin surgery for medical reasons to correct jaw and/or teeth problems.
This minimally invasive procedure:
The procedure usually takes between one and three hours. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision inside the mouth and/or under the chin to either insert a biocompatible implant or surgically reshape the existing bone structure. Closed incisions are dressed with bandages to prevent infection and aid in healing.
Most patients return to normal activities with a few days provided post-procedure supportive care measures are followed. A soft food or liquid diet is usually required to minimize jaw movement and help prevent infection. Bruising and swelling around the incisions sites are common but normally improve after one to two weeks. Final results become apparent as swelling resolves, typically within a few weeks to a few months.
