Sliding Genioplasty and Chin Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in placing a chin implant on top of my sliding genioplasty.  Maybe if my sliding genioplasty cut was made further back and moved in slight angle higher to make it look more square from front (losing some vertical height maybe). It is what it is – But I still think it was a clear improvement even with some compromises.

With an implant on top of the sliding genioploasty I want to achieve some more horizontal projection but at the same time some more width. All this must happen so that my chin doesn’t look longer (here I mean no additional vertical length). I also mean that not even optical illusion of looking so. I want to avoid deep sulcus but I don’t think it is a concern. 

A: While the chin implant can be added into the sliding genioplasty, the relevant questions are:

1) Given the current shape of your chin after the sliding genioplasty, would a standard implant adapt well or is it best done with a custom implant made for the alerted shape of the chin bone.

2) While the additional amount of horizontal chin augmentation is not extreme, it will make the labiomental crease a little deeper. This may potentially be avoided with a custom chin implant.

3) Should this be done intraoral or from below from a submengtaol skin incision.

These are issues for you to ponder.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana