Chin Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in chin reduction surgery. My chin sticks way out and doesn’t fit the rest of my face. How would I go about fixing this? I have attached pictures for your review.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures as they clearly show your lower facial concerns. Pure horizontal chin excess is one of the most challenging of all chin reshaping surgeries in terms of deciding the approach. A submental skin incision approach allows for the most effective technique as both the excess bone and soft tissue can be removed….albeit at the aesthetic ‘price’ of a submental scar.The intraoral wedge reduction and reverse sliding genioplasty method is scarless but has the potential to create some submental fullness as the chin is moved back. (as it does not address the soft tissue excess) The bone is cut and then slide backwards. (hence the term reverse sliding genioplasty) Because the chin bone is moved backwards it pushes the attached soft tissue with it, creating a potential submental bulge.

The choice between a submental or intraoral approach to chin reduction surgery depends on which of their tradeoffs you can best accept. (submental scar vs submental fullness) Most men would choose the submental scar.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana