Question: What is new with chin implants? Can they be done in the office?
Answer:
Chin implants have improved tremendously over the years – both the implants themselves and our understanding of how to get the most natural look for you.
For many years the standard implants have been on-lay implants, but todays implants are much better. On-lay implants tend to sit too high and to look unatural. They were too short, and the true chin is longer, going from just in front of the jowls from one side of the jaw to the other. The new “extended” chin implant, provides a much more natural look.
There are many sizes and shapes to choose from. All of them are designed to sit low on the jaw to give your chin 3-dimensional enlargement. Width, projection and height vary from implant to implant. Some will create a square chin, and some are designed to give more wideness to the front of the jaw. Others are designed for maximum projection.
Choosing the right implant for you is important, and so we spend a lot of time making sure we help you select the right one. Also, at surgery, various sizers are available. These are used to be sure the implant put in is the best for you.
Here’s what to expect –
You can have surgery in the office or in an operating room, either asleep or heavily sedated. If your surgery is done in the office, you will have oral sedation and local anesthesia. This works well for some people, but you will be aware of the pulling, scraping and sometimes, pain.
Because of this, it doesn’t suit everyone.
The procedure is fairly simply. A small incision is made in the natural chin crease. With a special instrument, the tissues are lifted off the lower jaw on either side of the chin. Once these tunnels are made, the implant in slipped in place. The implant is then sutured in position and the incision is closed. Chin implant surgery takes about an hour.
What is the recovery like?
After surgery you will notice swelling, but it will begin to subside after a week or so. Your jaw will be sore and your mouth won’t open fully for about a week. You will need to eat soft food and it will be hard to brush your teeth (a child’s toothbrush will be easier at first).
In about 6 weeks you will see the final result, but tissues continue to soften and improve for months after that and up until the 6 month after surgery.