The intervention of additive mentoplasty It involves the insertion of a rigid silicone prosthesis into the chin bone. This procedure leaves no visible scars or external signs. On the contrary, the reduction mentoplasty This involves reducing the protrusion of the chin bone, again without externally visible incisions. This type of surgery can aim to increase or reduce the protrusion of the chin, harmonizing it with other facial features such as the forehead and nose.
Benefits of Mentoplasty
A noticeable dissonance of the chin compared to the rest of the face immediately draws attention, whether it's too prominent or too receding. In both cases, mentoplasty can restore the harmonious profile, often associated with rhinoplasty, to restore proportion between the facial planes.
Mentoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia with deep sedation. The chin's prominence is rebalanced by inserting a prosthesis to increase its volume, or by smoothing the bone to reduce its protrusion.
Is Mentoplasty Right for Me?
Typically, rhinoplasty alone can reshape the facial profile. However, in some cases, the lower third of the face (from the upper lip to the tip of the chin) may be offset from the forehead, and rhinoplasty alone is not sufficient. Mentoplasty may be the ideal solution in these specific cases:
- Receding chin: requires an additive mentoplasty with the insertion of prostheses.
- Prominent chin: requires a reduction mentoplasty.
- “Pointed” profile”: requires personalized interventions to harmonize the face.
- Receding chin (additive mentoplasty, with insertion of prostheses)
- Prominent chin (reduction mentoplasty)
- ”Pointed” profile”
The procedure is performed through an incision inside the mouth, between the lower gum and the lip. The surgeon accesses the chin bone to apply the prosthesis or reduce the bone, as needed. The procedure ends with sutures and a facial bandage to limit post-operative swelling. Externally, no visible signs will be visible once the tissues have normalized, usually after a couple of weeks. Post-operative dressings and check-ups, as well as pharmacological and behavioral recommendations, are similar to those of rhinoplasty.
In some cases, it's possible to augment the chin using hyaluronic acid (or Macrolane). This substance is absorbable and makes the procedure completely reversible, giving patients the opportunity to evaluate the results of the temporary reshaping before opting for a permanent chin replacement with implants.