Chin Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I contacted you a little while ago regarding chin implants, and you felt that I had a horizontal deficiency of around 10mm.

My first question is whether larger implants like this carry any particular risks or pitfalls compared to the smaller ones. I was also wondering what kind of frontal view change I can expect from a standard/non-custom implant of this size. 

Thanks

A: Good to hear from you again. I doin’t think there are any increased risks with chin implants whether they are small or large. The increased implant load per se does not make them more prone to complications. The more relevant issue is with larger chin augmentations should they be done with an implant or a sliding genioplasty. (move the chin bone) for a more ‘natural’ chin augmentation and one that eliminates the need for an implant at all. That would depend on what type of frontal view change one is looking to achieve. If one wants to make their chin wider or even more square then only an implant can accomplish that frontal view change. If one wants to keep the chin the same width or slightly less wide then only a sliding genioplasty can make that frontal view change.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana