Description
Facial balance and proportion are key attributes of facial attractiveness. In profile view, appropriate chin projection extends forward to the level of the lower red lip. A deficient chin (microgenia) may detract from facial balance. The chin's contribution to facial harmony may be most evident in relation to the nose. When viewed in profile, an underprojected chin may magnify the perceived size of the nose. Chin augmentation provides or restores balance and proportion to the facial profile.

Candidates for Chin Augmentation
You may be a candidate for chin augmentation if you are concerned about the appearance of an underprojected chin. Typically, individuals do not notice the relationship between their chin projection and their nasal appearance. Individuals seeking rhinoplasty may express dissatisfaction with the size of their nose. The astute surgeon understands that rhinoplasty alone may not yield the result that a patient may desire. In those cases, the surgeon must educate the patient about the relationship between chin projection and nasal appearance, as described above.

Surgery
Chin augmentation is usually performed using either local anesthesia alone or in combination with sedation. A small skin incision is concealed in a natural skin crease located underneath the chin, and used create a pocket situated over the bony chin for insertion of the chin implant.

Complementary Procedures
Chin augmentation may be performed alone or in combination with rhinoplasty or other surgical procedures.

Possible Non-surgical Alternative Treatments
For subtle or temporary improvements, nonsurgical methods can be employed by Dr. Pearson to improve chin projection. An appropriate volumizing dermal filler may be employed and performed as an in-office procedure. For more substantial or permanent results, chin augmentation is considered.

Recovery after Chin Augmentation (Chin Implant, Mentoplasty)
Following chin augmentation, you can expect a few days of soreness which is well controlled with oral pain medications. Skin sutures are removed by 5 days. Swelling and bruising generally subside by 7-10 days. Chin taping is used to secure the implant during the early phase of healing and is removed after a few days. You can resume most normal activities after a couple of days, except for intense exercise, which may be resumed at about 3 weeks. Most people are able to return to work in 7-10 days.