What is Genioplasty or Chin Job?

Your facial features are one of the primary identity builders. However, due to birth defects (congenital condition) or due to injury, these features can be affected, especially your chin. Your chin is a primary element that shapes your face. Therefore, any kind of irregularity in your chin can affect the overall contours and the look of your face. If you are one of those who is looking for a way to reshape your chin, we have an answer for you.

Genioplasty is a modern-day treatment that can help you completely gain the best face features. Read ahead to learn more about Genioplasty or Chin job.

Genioplasty Explained!

Genioplasty, alternatively known as chin job, chin augmentation, or chin surgery, is a modern-day method to deal with badly shaped chins. Today, it is considered a cosmetic surgery because most people get it for their looks. Anyway, the major goal of genioplasty is to enhance a person's overall facial profile. This directly helps you get a more balanced and harmonious appearance.

This is performed by a surgeon who operates on the jaw and mouth (maxillofacial surgeon).

Types and Ways to Perform Genioplasty!

There are certain ways to perform revolutionary Genioplasty. It is performed for the following!

Moving the chin backwards or pushback

Moving the chi forward or advancement

Side to side to fix asymmetrical chins

Vertical chin, longer or shorter chin

Types of Genioplasty Treatments

Depending on the person’s requirements, there are two types of Genioplasty treatments.

1. Sliding Genioplasty - Also known as osseous genioplasty, sliding genioplasty involves sawing a part of the chin bone or mandible to move it to correct your chin deficiency. This piece of bone can be moved forward, backwards, or sideways to correct protruding, recessed or misaligned chin. The sawed part of the bone is reattached with the help of plates and screws. Sliding genioplasty is recommended for those with Retrogenia (chin is far back), Prognathia (protrudes forward), Microgenia (small chin), and other chin conditions.

2. Chin Implants - Unlike the previous method, chin implants are a dedicated solution for small chins. If any of you have a small chin, you have the option to choose between chin implants or sliding genioplasty. The chin implant method includes integrating a plastic or flexible material over the chin bone for its enhancement. These are usually made of silicone and help improve the shape of your lower jawline and, thereby, your entire face.

The non-surgical chin augmentation method also includes injecting fillers, including body fat, to enhance the chin of the person.

How Does Genioplasty or Chin Job Procedures Work?

The procedures for both these genioplasty treatments vary. Sliding genioplasty is a more invasive procedure than a chin implant. Here is more to it!

Sliding Genioplasty Procedure - The procedure begins with providing you with a dose of anaesthesia. With this, you will be unconscious during the surgery. The surgeon begins by making a horizontal incision or a cut at the base of your jawbone. Further, the surgeon makes a small vertical cut in the chin bone for reference. The surgeon also cuts a part of your chin bone with a surgical saw. Now, based on the required chin condition, the surgeon either adds that part of the chin by moving it forward or sideways. If the chin is required to be short, the surgeon removes the cut portion. The chin bone part is attached via plates, screws, and wires if moved forward or sideways.

The incision is closed with the help of dissolvable stitches. Further, surgical tape or dressing is added to the incision inside the mouth and under the chin or below the lower lip on the outside. This surgery can take anywhere between 1 to 2 hours or more based on the complexity and custom insertion required.

Note: The mark of the incision will not be visible as it is made from the inside of the mouth.

As said, the chin implant is a less invasive surgery. In this surgery, the surgeon makes an incision inside the mouth or under the chin. Next, the surgeon carefully places the implant inside the incision and screws it to the chin bone. The incision is sewed at last. Remember that the surgeon will have the respective implant already made before making the incision. Further, the implant can be made of Teflon, silicone, or Medpore. While other materials are placed around the chin bone, Medpore seamlessly adheres to the bone. This implant surgery takes 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete, based on the complexity.

The Aftercare of Genioplasty or Chin Job!

While bleeding, bruising, and scaring can be some risks of genioplasty or chin job, there are some things that you need to keep in mind after the procedure!

Avoid strenuous activities
Take antibiotics as per the surgeon’s recommendations
Avoid hard and crunchy food.
Rinse mouth with water and salt before and after meals
Sleep with your head raised higher than your heart.

Conclusion

Your chin decides the overall structure of your face. However, if it is small, long, or misaligned, genioplasty can be the perfect way to reshape it. Though the process can be invasive, it can improve your face value faster.