Is An Implant or A Sliding Genioplasty Better For My Chin Augmentation?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had read that a chin implant can also widen the chin or make it appear more square. One trade-off it sounds like is that the implant would not reach as much horizontal projection. But if my goal is to also make my chin/jaw appear more masculine overall, would I noticeably be “missing out” on this aspect with the genioplasty rather than implant, or do you feel that wouldn’t be very consequential in overall appearance? Or, would any benefit from the width be negated by added vertical height from the implant (if I already have more than needed)?

A:You have corrected surmised the basic concept of the dimensional differences between an implant vs an osteotomy in your chin augmentation. Neither one is perfect and there are dimensional tradeoffs for each option. You make that decision based on which of their liabilities can you live with the best

IMPLANT = makes the chin square (if it is a custom made implant) but less horizontal projection and keeps the same the same vertical length (and probably risks making it just a bit longer) (particularly if it is not custom made implant)

OSTEOTOMY = maximizes horizontal projection and can reliably keep the same vertical length or even make it vertically short, can not make the wider or more square.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon