Will Chin Pad Suspension Improve My Ability To Talk?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had multiple bony genioplasties and I have another one planned later this year. Now I’m having a functional issue where it’s a bit hard to talk, it takes more effort then usual. I think this is because I still have skin that is not fully supported by the chin bone. I’m wondering, do you know if there’s any simple procedure that can be done now to reduce the severity of this functional issue until I can move forward with having the genioplasty advancement? Or do you think a temporary implant would resolve this issue? I really want to minimize creating any scar tissue but if you have any thoughts please let me know. It almost seems like if there was a screw that can be inserted underneath to hold the skin in place that, that would resolve the issue. Let me know your thoughts. 

A: What you are referring to is mentalis or soft tissue chin pad suspension in which the soft tissues are sutured up to a higher position through an intraoral approach. The superior portions of your existing titanium hardware may be sufficient to do so. Whether that will really provide an improvement to your symptoms I can not say but that is how it would be technically done. I have done such soft tissue suspensions from underneath the chin so I can not say how effective that might be.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana