Can A Chin Implant Be Done After An Osteotomy?

Q:  Dr. Eppley, I am interested in a chin implant.  Two years ago I had a sliding genioplasty chin reduction that reduced my chin about 3 mm.  Now that I am fully healed, I am noticing that my chin looks too short for my face.  From the profile view, my chin doesn’t look bad, but from the front, it looks too short, rounded/squared.  My chin seems to be too wide and not tapered enough from a frontal view (especially when smiling).  I have two screws in either side of my chin.  Is it possible to put an extremely small (maybe 2mm) implant in even if I have screws in my jaw already? Also, is it possible to position it so that it only affects the vertical length of my chin and not so much the horizontal projection? Would you recommend a button implant (as opposed to an extended implant) since I don’t want my face to widened? Thank you for your time.

A:  You are describing perfectly why an osteotomy is not a good idea for a chin reduction. By sliding the bone backward it creates two effects, a more square or wider chin and it can often make the submental neck tissues fuller. As you have pointed out, a chin implant can be done to improve the effects that the osteotomy has created. You are correct is assumed that it should be a central button chin implant that is positioned low on the bone and secured into position by a screw to create some vertical lengthening as well.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana