Are Mental Nerve Changes Common After Chin Implant Shaving Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had my chai implant shaved about 6 weeks ago. I have been patient with the healing and for the most part, it has been uneventful. As discussed, I hate the outcome. However this question pertains to the healing. 

I have had a slightly uncomfortable nerve like feeling on under and around the chin. A few weeks back, it felt like a burning feeling almost like bones have been scraped. I am starting to wonder if I have slight damage to the mental nerve. Is this sensation common with a shaving and does it go away? It can also feel almost like an arthritic feeling I get in my bad knee. 

Getting ahead of myself. If I have slight nerve damage from a shaving, what can I expect with a replacement? Again, I am trying to make sure that I do not make matters significantly worse trying to correct my shaving mistake. 

Any insight would be appreciated. 

A: Such mental nerve changes are typical from it being stretched, which would be common when trying to perform a shave in a limited and tight tissue pocket. Depending upon how close the implant is the mental nerve and where it is attached by scar tissues, I would expect such nerve changes to be significant when doing a replacement. In most cases such mental nerve changes are temporary and self-resolving over time….which could be as long as 3 to 6 months after surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana