Chin Ptosis Surgery

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in chin ptosis surgery. Three years ago I had a chin implant placed through the mouth and then it was removed a few weeks later because it was causing dynamic ptosis. My chin and lower lip are lower than they were before and my oral vestibule seems really low in my mouth. My doctor said it was because of scar tissue and there was nothing he could do. I realize now that my mentalis muscle needed to be resuspended. Have I waited too long to have this done and have any chance of success?

A: The timing from the onset of the implant removal/chin ptosis does not really affect the success of the surgery when it is performed. The success of the surgery depends on many technical factors, one of which it is higher when a small chin implant is placed to support the uplifted chin tissues. Besides resuspending the mentalis muscle, the other very effective technique in my experience is to raise the height of the vestibule. This would be of particular benefit in your case as you have already described that it seems too low since the original chin implant surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana