Can My Large Chin Implant Be Removed Without Developing Lower Lip Incompetence?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I would like to have chin implant removed that was placed submental 25 years ago (XL silicone) I know from reading your blog (most informative that I have seen) that there is no way to know the outcome of removal.The most important aspect of removal to me are function and motor skills opposed to cosmetic due to a family situation. I have more of a general question with the understanding that it would be more guesswork. My question is if I’m correct that mentalis reattachment stemming from the intraoral approach is the primary driver of lower lip incompetence in your opinion? I.e., with the submental approach for emoval,, it is more soft tissue and ligament stretch that may cause chin pad sagging causing a cosmetic deformity but if the mentalis is preserved there is a better chance of not having an effect on speech and motor ability? Thanks for the assistance you provide on the blog it is very informative & helpful – would certainly like to utilize you for this procedure as I think your credentials and experience are unmatched.

A:When considering the removal Chin implant that is associated with lower lip incompetence be aware that new matter how it is removed, intraoral versus submental, the lower lip incompetence is likely to get worse. This would be particularly relevant when one has an extra large chin implant. While you can go intraorally and remove it and do mentalis resuspension, the likely outcome would be no improvement in the lower lip incompetence at best and some increase in it at worst. Mentalis resuspension is not a predictable procedure but it works best when it is supplemented by some form of chin augmentation. But when structural chin support is being removed, AKA Chin implant removal, the operation is very likely to not be successful at all.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon