What Is The Best Type Of Chin Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in chin and maybe jawline implants. Do you favour the intra-oral or extra-oral approach for chin implants? Also, do you use silastic or porous implants? I have attached some pictures so you can see how short my chin is.

A: The first question to decide before one considers how to augment the jawline is exactly what type and degree of changes does one seek. As you can see in the attached imaging, you could just do chin augmentation only (side view prediction) vs. total jawline augmentation of chin back to the jaw angles. (oblique view prediction) Your chin is so short because your entire lower jaw is underdeveloped so your jaw angles are rotated up and backward (high) as well. There is also a debate to be had about your chin as to whether that should be done with an implant or a sliding genioplasty. Therefore, options include:

Chin implant only

Chin and jaw angle implants (performed)

Total jawline implant (custom)

Sliding genioplasty alone

sliding genioplasty combined with preformed jaw angle implants

But when it comes to using jawline implants of any configuration, silicone implants are far superior to Medpor and a submental approach (vs intraoral) is easier with a quicker recovery. The small skin scar is inconsequential.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana