Will A Chin Implant Deepen The Labiomental Fold?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a recessed chin (no overbite as orthodontics aligned my bite) and a very deep labiomental crease. My question is, am I a candidate for a chin implant? I feel like I am not a good candidate as an implant would only exaggerate my pre-existing issue. Please see attached pictures. 

A: Almost anyone can undergo a chin implant if their chin is deficient enough. The real question is whether someone is a good candidate for the procedure. Since you appear to be using the criteria of any deepening of the labiomental fold as not being a good candidate, then you would likely be correct. If the depth of the labiomental fold bothers you know, then it may bother you more after chin augmentation. Any chin implant procedure changes the pogonion position of the lower chin but leaves the depth of the nasolabial fold unchanged as it is not a bony supported structure. Whether it would be significantly deeper depends on the size of the chin implant, the shape of the implant and whether the labiomental fold is augmented at the same time. Since your chin augmentation needs do not appear to be large, the labiomental fold may not be changed significantly.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana