Will Chin Implant Removal and Replacement with a T-Shaped Genioplasty Give Me A More Tapered Chin?

Q: Dr. Eppley, had a chin implant inserted a couple months ago and the result is not what I’m looking for – it widens my lower face too much and does not give me the vertical length that I was hoping to achieve. I’ve attached a few pictures of my current face with the chin implant. I would like to remove the chin implant and do a sliding genioplasty instead. However, I do like the profile projection that the implant gives me and would like the genioplasty to give me the same projection. 

Additionally, I would like to do a T-Shaped Osteotomy for a V Line chin.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. I believe you are correct in that removing the chin implant (will reduce the width) and replacing it with a lengthening/narrowing form of bony genioplasty will add length and be able to restore the lost projection of the chin implant. (although I don’ know what that is currently) The combination of bony lengthening with advancement will create more of a tapered appearance which would be enhanced by adding a 4mm midline resection.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana