Chin surgery or genioplasty
The strong points
- We perform genioplasty as an outpatient surgery: entry in the morning and exit in the evening.
For chin augmentation, we prefer to useMaterialise custom-made porous titanium implants or Medpor anatomical implants.
The price of chin surgery or mentoplasty varies from 4,500 to 7,500 euros, depending on the difficulty of the case and whether chin implants are used.
Description of the genioplasty
Genioplasty is the plastic surgery of the chin bone. It is also known as mentoplasty. The aim is to modify the morphology of the anterior portion of the mandible to create a harmonious chin. It may or may not be combined with surgery on the bony bases of the maxilla to correct dento-skeletal malformations, which should be screened before any chin surgery (ANGLE Class 2 or 3). It can also be combined with mandibular angle surgery or gonioplasty(augmentation with custom-made porous titanium implants or reduction).
There are 2 main types of genioplasty:
Advancement genioplasty is used to treat a receding chin, often responsible for associated cervical slackening. To achieve the desired effect, the lower edge of the mandible can be cut, advanced a few millimeters and stabilized with small titanium screws. For larger advances, we can use porous polyethylene implants (Medpor), which significantly increase the volume and projection of the chin, or even in some cases custom-made Materialise porous titanium implants designed from the patient's 3D scanner. The latter method provides a patient-specific solution and avoids asymmetries and imperfections.
Receding genioplasty: This procedure is used to correct chins that are too long or too high. It necessarily involves cutting the mandible bone in order to move it backwards
The scar can be hidden in the lower lip or under the chin, especially during a Cervical Facial Lift.
Genioplasty in practice
A facial scanner with 3D reconstruction will be requested before the surgery in order to model the procedure. The procedure is most often performed under general anesthesia but can be performed under neuroleptanalgesia (local anesthesia with intravenous sedatives) for simple procedures (placement of an implant under the chin). This requires a pre-anesthetic consultation at least 48 hours before the procedure. In most cases, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis (entry at 8 am and exit at 7 pm the same day). The placement of an implant is not very painful. The realization of osteotomies can cause a significant swelling of the face responsible for pain during the first 3 days. It is necessary to consider an interruption of work for 5 to 7 days after a genioplasty.
The specificities of our genioplasties
We try to keep the complications of aesthetic chin surgery to a minimum. For example, we prefer to use custom-made porous titanium implants for chin augmentation genioplasties. There are several reasons why we have made this choice:
Using a scar under the chin reduces the risk of infection compared to a scar in the mouth. This is particularly useful for men with beards. For women, however, a scar in the mouth is often preferred.
There is no risk of damaging the insertions of the chin muscles and causing a drooping chin effect
We can work precisely on the sides of the mandible without risking damage to the lower dental nerve and insensitivity of the lower lip.
Porous titanium implants are secured with titanium screws and cannot move like silicone implants.
Porous titanium implants have excellent tissue integration and a very low rate of capsular contracture.
Questions / Answers
What are the possible complications of a genioplasty?
Genioplasty is a delicate surgical procedure, requiring a rigorous technique on the part of the surgeon to achieve a harmonious chin.
The most frequent complication is reduced sensitivity of the lower lip due to stretching of the dental nerves. This is often transient (less than 3 months), but can be annoying.
There are also complications linked to the implants used (titanium screws or porous titanium implants).
Lastly, post-operative oedema can be severe, leading to social exclusion for more than 7 days.
What other procedures can be combined with a genioplasty?
First of all rhinoplasty. This association is quite frequent because we find many patients with a prominent nose and a receding chin. This is called profiloplasty and it completely restores the balance of the face. We also often associate a genioplasty by implant placement with a Cervical-Facial Lift. Indeed, patients with a receding chin often have a very loose neck because their jaw does not tighten enough. A chin implant can correct this phenomenon and dramatically improve the effect of the neck lift. Finally, in cases of moderate neck sagging, neck liposuction can be combined with implant genioplasty. The neck is thus tightened only by a small scar located under the chin without a Cervical-Facial Lift.
Are there any genioplasties covered by the health insurance?
Yes, certain cases associated with an anomaly of the bony bases and dental articulation (Angle class 2 and 3) may be covered by social security. This means that chin surgery can be reimbursed. Prior orthodontic treatment is required. Our complementary fees range from €2,000 to €3,000, depending on the difficulty of the case.
How much does a chin operation cost?
For purely cosmetic surgery, chin surgery costs between €4,500 and €7,500.
If combined with another aesthetic procedure, chin surgery entails an additional cost of €4,000.
In rare cases, a chin operation may be reimbursed after orthodontic treatment.
Have a question? Please contact us!
The firm
Docteur Yaël Berdah and Docteur Marc-David Benjoar
Plastic surgeons in Paris France