What are chin implants?
The insertion of chin implants is one method of chin augmentation. Chin implants are used to change the shape of your chin or add fullness, or sometimes to make facial features look more balanced. It’s often combined with other cosmetic surgeries such as rhinoplasty (a ‘nose job’) and face lifts.
What’s involved in having a chin implant?
Chin implant surgery may be done under general anaesthetic or under local anaesthetic, and sedation. Chin implant surgery is a relatively simple surgery that takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours, so your procedure may be done as a day case - although if you have had a general anaesthetic, additional surgeries or complications, you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
The surgeon will make a cut inside the mouth at the junction of the gum and lip (intra-oral method) or underneath the chin in a natural crease (sub-mental crease). Then the chin tissue is separated from the bone, making a pocket for the implant. The implant is manipulated until it is in the right place and some surgeons fix the chin implant to the bone with special screws to prevent it slipping out of place. The incision is then closed, usually with soluble stitches.
How long will I need to recover from chin implant surgery?
If your chin implant was inserted via the intra-oral route, you may find your recovery a little slower, and to start with you will have to drink fluids through a straw, and avoid hot, spicy or hard foods for several days. Anti-bacterial mouthwashes may be recommended.
You will have some swelling and bruising which should subside after a week or so, and any traditional stitches will be removed at this point. Most patients will only need 7 to 10 days off work to recover, but you may need longer if you have a very strenuous job, as you should avoid exertion for 3 weeks after your procedure.
What are the risks of chin implant surgery?
Besides the risks of general anaesthetic or sedation there are some minor risks with chin surgery, including allergy to the implant material, infection, bleeding and displacement of the implant. Because chin implants are placed along the lower edge of the jaw, close to nerves that connect to the lower teeth, lips and chin, there may be stretching and damage to the nerves which means you may experience numbness in the area after surgery. However this is uncommon and not a cause for concern unless it persists longer than a few weeks.
How much do chin implants cost?
The price for chin implants ranges between £1800 and £4400, with an average fee of around £3000.
