Back to Top
Houston Cranio Facial

Chin Augmentation

Genioplasty, more commonly known as chin surgery, is a procedure designed to improve the appearance of the chin, which also affects the jawline and facial profile as a whole. Chin surgery is often performed as a cosmetic enhancement, but it can also be used to correct certain functional issues that may develop as the result of a congenital (since birth) disorder or a traumatic injury. Dr. Eric Payne, our extensively trained craniofacial plastic surgeon, utilizes the most advanced chin augmentation techniques available to enhance the chin while ensuring natural-looking results.

What are the Benefits of a Chin Augmentation?

Depending on your aesthetic goals, chin surgery and augmentation offer a number of benefits. Each patient can experience different advantages based on their treatment plan and desired outcome. Some of the ways genioplasty can alter the chin include:

  • Moving the chin forward or back
  • Adjusting the chin from side-to-side
  • Creating a longer or shorter chin through vertical movement
  • Improving symmetry

A recessed chin, over-projected chin, and asymmetry are quite common, but patients do not have to live with these issues if it makes them uncomfortable, self-conscious, or causes other psychological or physical problems. Chin surgery may offer a solution that can alleviate your concerns and provide greater harmony between your facial features.

Reasons for Chin Augmentation 

Chin augmentation is often performed for cosmetic reasons and the procedure can improve your appearance in many ways. For both men and women, a well-defined chin and jawline are key to aesthetically framing the face. These features also improve your facial profile, which often prompts individuals with an asymmetrical or disproportionate chin to consider enhancement options. 

Every patient has their own personal reasons for pursuing surgery, but chin augmentation is generally performed with the goal of:

  • Improving facial harmony: A recessed or over-projected chin affects your overall facial balance, and creating more proportion in the lower face may help harmonize your features. Namely, enhancing the chin can offset a large or dominant nose, thereby improving your entire appearance. 
  • Enhancing a weak or recessed chin: A strong chin and jawline are typically associated with strength and beauty. Whether by placing an implant or repositioning the bone to make the chin more noticeable, improving the proportions of a diminutive chin can help highlight the entire facial profile. 
  • Creating a more defined contour along the neck and jawline: Chin surgery can improve the angle of the lower face, often producing a sleeker, smoother transition between the face and neck. 
  • Reducing the prominence of a “double chin”: In some cases, the appearance of excess fullness in the neck — commonly known as a “double chin” — may be worsened by a recessed chin. Increasing the projection of the chin with either a custom-fitted implant or sliding genioplasty techniques can create a sharper, more obvious contour between the chin and neck. 

As a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in head and neck procedures, Dr. Payne is extremely well-versed in how to achieve the angle, projection, and shape of the chin desired. He can determine an optimal technique to accentuate the chin while still ensuring your results look natural. 

Who is a Candidate for Chin Augmentation?

Chin augmentation can benefit individuals who feel self-conscious or bothered by the appearance of their chin. In general, men and women considering surgery should be healthy non-smokers who are at a stable weight. The ability to maintain a positive outlook on surgery, as well as realistic expectations about the potential outcome, are also important to mutual patient-doctor satisfaction. Dr. Payne will discuss your concerns and goals at length during your consultation to confirm your candidacy for chin surgery. Furthermore, he will show you before-and-after photos of the types of results achieved with chin augmentation so you have a good understanding of what can be accomplished. Once it’s confirmed that chin augmentation is the ideal treatment option to address your concerns, Dr. Payne will be able to create a treatment plan tailored to achieve your desired results.
 

How is Chin Surgery Performed?

Chin surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with other techniques, such as jaw surgery or nose surgery, to achieve the optimal outcome. If your chin concerns are related to a birth defect or disorder, Dr. Payne will review his recommended approach during your first appointment. Two of the most common methods of cosmetic chin surgery include sliding genioplasty and chin implants.

Sliding Genioplasty

Also called osseous genioplasty, this technique involves cutting the chin bone to move it forward. This approach allows for greater advancement of the chin and jawbone than chin implants (greater than 10 millimeters, or 1 centimeter), and it also makes it possible to address asymmetry that occurs in all three dimensions. Therefore, most complex chin surgeries will be performed as genioplasties rather than with chin implants. If you have an over-projected chin, this method may also be recommended to reduce the size of the chin or slide it backwards to balance the appearance of your facial features.

Chin Implants

Chin implants can be a great option for patients who want to advance the chin forward less than seven millimeters. The incision is made under the chin to reduce the risk of complications, and most patients heal very well and find the scar to be quite unnoticeable. The chin implants used are two-piece contoured appliances that are held in place using two to four screws that are attached to the jawbone. While some physicians complete chin implant surgery in their offices, Dr. Payne performs this procedure in a surgical suite or hospital environment to provide the safest experience possible.

How Long is Recovery Following Chin Surgery?

The procedure time will vary depending on the technique used, but augmentations, reductions, and implantations typically take between 45 minutes and 2 hours. Most patients can return home the same day as the surgery, and will be required to follow a soft-food diet initially. Some bruising, swelling, and soreness are to be expected, but your comfort is our highest priority and we will provide prescription medication to manage your pain. Patients should be able to return to work and normal activities after one to two weeks, although your experience may vary. Dr. Payne and our entire medical team are here to help you heal as quickly and successfully as possible, and we will monitor you throughout the process.

How Much Does Chin Surgery Cost?

The price of chin surgery will depend on several factors unique to you and your treatment plan. At our practice, the surgery can range from about $4,000 to $7,000. Some of the considerations that go into pricing include the technique used, the complexity of your operation, and whether medical insurance will cover part of the cost. If chin surgery is performed for cosmetic reasons alone, medical insurance will not cover any fees, and we can help you find plastic surgery financing if desired. During your initial consultation, we will review your program in full, including the cost of your procedure, so that you are well-informed in advance. We welcome your questions and are pleased to help you at every stage.

Is Non-Surgical Chin Augmentation Possible?

Unfortunately, the permanent chin augmentation procedure cannot be performed without surgery. With genioplasty, Dr. Payne is able to more accurately shape the chin to complement your natural facial proportions. This can allow results to look subtle and natural, as well as facilitate a long-lasting outcome after your procedure. We encourage you to communicate your needs and preferences with Dr. Payne so he can recommend an ideal treatment to achieve your goals. For some patients, non-surgical cosmetic fillers can show you how to improve the projection of the chin without invasiveness, anesthesia, or downtime. Although the results are temporary, they should allow you to determine if you want to pursue surgical chin augmentation. Dr. Payne can discuss all of these options with you during your consultation. 

Questions? Dr. Eric Payne would be happy to explain the chin augmentation procedure in further detail during a consultation at our Houston practice. Please contact The Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery Center today to learn more.