Chin Surgery (Genioplasty) in Birmingham, AL

Cosmetic surgery of the chin involves reshaping or augmentation of the chin, often using facial implants. As an important balancing feature of your face, the chin should be prominent yet proportional. When the chin is too small or lacks projection, the other facial features may appear relatively large. During chin surgery, Dr. Petro will aim to reshape the chin to bring it into harmony with your individual facial features.

When to Consider Chin Surgery

Smallness of the chin (a condition known as microgenia) is the most common indication for cosmetic chin surgery. Smallness in this context doesn’t necessarily mean that your chin is objectively small, but that it’s relatively small.  It’s simply out of proportion with your nose or forehead due to a lack of underlying bone structure.

Chin surgery may not be recommended in extreme or severe cases of microgenia. Good candidates are psychologically prepared for surgery, meaning one is capable of understanding the risks and benefits, and has realistic expectations about the outcome.

Your Chin Surgery: What to Expect

Two possible chin surgery procedures that Dr. Petro may recommend include:

• Alloplastic mentoplasty
• Sliding genioplasty

Alloplastic mentoplasty uses a special facial implant to augment the chin. Implants are made from silicone rubber, teflon, acrylic or other materials. They also come in shapes and sizes that can match the anatomy of each patient.  With the patient under local (sometimes general) anesthesia, Dr. Petro makes a small incision below the chin or inside the mouth. She creates a pocket for the implant and then secures it in place in front of the jawbone.

Sliding genioplasty is a procedure in which the doctor reshapes the chin by “sliding” the bone forward or backward. After the chin is reshaped, the bone is fixated with wires or titanium plates. This procedure is appropriate when the chin implant alone cannot achieve satisfactory results.

What Happens After Chin Surgery?

After your chin surgery, Dr. Petro will provide detailed post-operative instructions for the recovery period. These may include steps to eat a soft diet, practice good oral hygiene, elevate the head during rest and refrain from touching the chin. Antibiotics and pain medications are often prescribed after chin surgery. During a follow-up appointment (typically 1 week later), the sutures are removed.

Chin Surgery Birmingham

What questions do you have about chin surgery? Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Meliane Petro can discuss the procedure details, including risks, cost, alternatives and more, during a personal consultation at our office. We are located just outside Birmingham in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.