Would I Benefit From A Mentalis/Chin Pad Resuspension?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m 9 weeks post reduction T genioplasty and I have noticed a significantly deepened anterior mandibular vestibule, restricted smile and lower lip depression, and sagging chin appearance despite minimal to no swelling. The vestibule was initially much shallower after surgery and opened up/deepened around week 2 or 3. I am concerned about mentalis/chin pad malposition or ptosis. I have spoken to my surgeon, who has advised me to wait, but would like a second opinion. Would you be able to see me for this issue?

A: Many of the symptoms you have are not uncommon after the chin reduction procedure that you underwent. In any type of facial bone reduction, one assumes that the surrounding soft tissues will naturally shrink down and adapt to the decreased bone structure. However, in the chin, this is often a very different story. The soft tissue chin pad does not have the ability to substantially shrink down and, when it does, it contracts around the decreased bone support over a less projected point. This accounts for every symptom that you have. In essence, this is now a mismatch between the bone support and the overlying soft tissue. So it really isn’t chin ptosis in the classic sense it is soft tissue chin pan pad redundancy. I have seen this many times from such procedures performed into orally and the key question is what can you do for it now and will it be effective?

Dr Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon