Chin Implant
Also known as alloplastic chin augmentation, mentoplasty
The quicker, cheaper route to a stronger chin. Fine for modest projection, inferior to genioplasty for anything ambitious.
US $3,000–8,000.
How it works
A pre-shaped silicone, Medpor or ePTFE implant is placed over the chin bone through an incision under the chin or inside the mouth, adding forward and sometimes lateral projection. It sits on the bone surface rather than moving it.
How it's used
Choose a surgeon who sizes from imaging rather than eyeballing it. Silicone is removable and revisable; Medpor integrates with tissue and is considerably harder to take out. Submental (under-chin) placement carries a lower infection rate than intraoral.
Trade-offs
In favour
- Shorter operation and recovery than genioplasty
- Lower cost
- Reversible with silicone
- Immediate visible change
Against
- Cannot correct vertical height or significant asymmetry
- Bone resorption underneath the implant is well documented over years
- Risk of shifting or malposition
- Foreign body that can become infected at any point in the future
Risks and side effects
- Bone erosion beneath the implant over time
- Implant migration or visible edges
- Infection — may occur years later and usually requires removal
- Mental nerve injury and lip numbness
- Capsular contracture
Recovery
Week 1: swelling and bruising, tape or dressing, soft diet if placed intraorally. Week 2: back to normal activity. Weeks 3–6: swelling resolves and the final shape emerges.
How good is the evidence?
Well-established with good short and medium-term outcomes, though long-term bone resorption is a documented and genuine concern.
Sources
Sources point to guideline bodies and literature searches rather than single papers, so they stay accurate as the evidence moves.