WHAT IS MENTOPLASTY?
When you look in the mirror, do you see a retracted chin that unbalances the harmony of your face? If so, you are a strong candidate for chin surgery. But what is Mentoplasty?
Mentoplasty, also called genioplasty, is a surgical intervention that allows you to change the shape or dimensions of the chin in order to harmonize your profile and other facial proportions and improve your jaw line definition.
Mentoplasty improves facial harmony on several levels:
- It projects a recessed chin;
- It changes the shape and dimension of the chin;
- It improves the position of the chin in relation to other facial structures;
- It enhances the profile look;
- It corrects asymmetries;
- It improves jaw line definition.
Treatment can be performed in isolation or combined with other surgeries to improve facial contour. The most common are neck liposuction and rhinoplasty.
FOR WHOM IS
MENTOPLASTY INDICATED?
Mentoplasty is indicated for both men and women with good general health and realistic expectations. Good candidates for Mentoplasty usually have some of the following characteristics:
- A small, retracted chin;
- Irregularities in the chin;
- Double chin;
- Accumulation of fat in the lower part of the chin;
- Asymmetric and poorly defined jaw line;
- Large or prominent nose;
- Unbalanced face structure.
MENTOPLASTY SURGERY
PROCEDURE
EVALUATION MEDICAL APPOINTMENT
n a first phase, the medical team analyses the overall morphology of the face, the way the chin is integrated in the face and the balance of nose, lips and chin projection.
To choose an implant that fully responds to the patient’s characteristics and desires, during the evaluation appointment that precedes the mentoplasty, a careful analysis is carried out regarding the following characteristics:
- The dimensions of facial structures;
- Distances and angles;
- Skin elasticity;
- Symmetry of the face;
- Pre-existing grooves;
- Scar prevalence.
The objective is to perform a detailed study of the facial structure, to decide the changes to make and the type of silicone implant to be placed.
Mentoplasty Precare
Before the intervention, it may be necessary to stop certain medication. Anti-hemorrhagic drugs, anticoagulants, diuretics, weight loss medications, are some common examples.
It is absolutely essential to stop smoking both before and after the procedure. Tobacco consumption negatively influences healing and blood circulation. The abstinence period and other preoperative recommendations are indicated by the plastic surgeon during the medical appointments that precede the surgery.
You must perform all preoperative exams in advance.
Chin Surgery Procedure
Mentoplasty is performed with sedation and local anesthesia and takes about 45 minutes.
The chin enhancement is performed through the placement of a specific prosthesis, through an internal incision (inside the mouth) or an external incision (under the chin).
The prosthesis integrates with the natural elements of the face, close to muscles, skin and fat, which grants a very natural result
In general, Mentoplasty provides long lasting, definitive results. However, over the years, the natural aging process which is responsible for most of the facial changes, may at some point compromise the result of the surgery and some revamp might be necessary.
Postoperative and Recovery Period
The recovery time for a mentoplasty is about one week. During this period, some discomfort is expected, which is easily alleviated by taking painkillers.
The patient can open and close her/his mouth normally from the first moment – despite some restrictions to guarantee a complete healing of the internal incision.
During the first week, it is normal to have some edema (swelling), which varies in intensity from person to person and disappears gradually. Some bruising is also common and usually disappears about 1 month after the procedure.
TYPE OF IMPLANTS IN MENTOPLASTY
Each case is analyzed individually in order to offer each patient a personalized solution. There are chin implants in different materials, with different characteristics and indications. Silicone implants are by far the most frequently used, due to their ease of placement, versatility, flexibility and availability in a wide range of shapes and dimensions.
MENTOPLASTY AFTERCARE
To optimize the results of the mentoplasty, patients must accurately comply with all medical recommendations:
- Avoiding any kind of effort;
- Resting, but taking some walks to promote circulation;
- Sleeping with the head in an elevated position;
- Maintaining a good oral hygiene (brushing your teeth carefully / using elixir);
- Taking the prescribed medication;
- Maintaining a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water;
- Opting for softer foods;
- Avoiding direct exposure to the sun;
- To relieve discomfort and reduce edema, cold compresses can be used at 20 minute intervals;
- Refrain from smoking.
In the first 3 months, patients should avoid sun exposure and high temperature environments – such as Turkish baths or saunas – to reduce the risk of unsightly healing.
TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Mentoplasty is usually performed with sedation and local anesthesia. Sedation is administered intravenously by the anesthesiologist and, when the patient is asleep, local anesthetics are administered in the chin area, so that the patient does not experience any pain or discomfort during the intervention. At the end of the surgery, the patient is awakened by the anesthesiologist and then transported to the recovery room where she/he remains under observation for a few hours, before being discharged.
TYPE OF INCISION - SCAR
Internal scar: it is located inside the mouth, between the lower lip and the gum;
External scar: located under the chin. Despite being external, it is hidden and practically imperceptible.
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THE MENTOPLASTY SURGERY STEP-BY-STEP
MARKING THE CHIN
The first step is marking the patient to ensure that the chin implant is placed in the correct position.
SEDATION
The patient stays in the supine position. Sedation is administered intravenously by the Anesthesiologist who will be present throughout the surgery. Then, local anesthetics are injected io the chin area.
DISINFECTION AND DELIMITATION OF OPERATING FIELDS
The entire area to be treated is cleansed and disinfected to reduce the risk of infection. Operative fields are placed to isolate the area from the external environment.
INCISION
The plastic surgeon makes a small external (under the chin) or internal (inside the mouth, between the lower lip and gum) incision.
IMPLANT INSERTION
Through the incision, the plastic surgeon creates a pocket and carefully inserts the implant into the chin.
INCISION CLOSING
The incision is closed using sutures that are usually removed after 7/10 days.
POST-ANESTHESIA CARE
The patient is awakened by the anesthesiologist and is then transported to the recovery room where she/he remains under observation before being discharged, on the same day.
BENEFITS OF MENTOPLASTY
The chin shape has a crucial influence on facial harmony and proportion. Some of the benefits of chin augmentation surgery are:
- Enhancing an underdeveloped chin;
- Providing a more harmonious and “triangular” shape to the mandible;
- Increasing the height or width of the chin;
- Smoothing a “double chin”;
- Smoothing a cleft chin;
- Improving the balance between the nose, lips and chin.
Specialist Doctors
About
Dr. Luísa Magalhães Ramos / Plastic Surgery
PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Nr. 42810
Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, she specialized in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.
Throughout her training, she subspecialized in aesthetic plastic surgery, having worked in world-renowned clinics.
Currently, she is mainly dedicated to face and breast aesthetic plastic surgery and to intimate female surgery.
About
Dr. Alice Varanda Pereira / Plastic Surgery
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association, Nr. 47051
Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, she completed her master’s degree in human sexuality and is currently developing her PhD at this same institution.
She joined the University faculty academic staff in 2008 as a lecturer of the Institute of Anatomy. It is in this unit that she produces most of her research projects, mainly in the area of surgical anatomy, whilst also supervising master’s thesis for undergraduate students.
FAQ about
Mentoplasty
IS MENTOPLASTY A SAFE SURGERY?
Any surgery has associated risks, and chin surgery is no exception. However, for the surgery to be performed safely and with a low risk of complications, it is very important to choose a reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeon registered in the Portuguese Medical Association, with several years of proven experience in performing mentoplasty and facial surgeries.
HOW MUCH DOES A MENTOPLASTY COST IN LISBON?
This will depend on the complexity of the surgery and the combination of procedures. Mentoplasty is often combined with other surgeries such as a neck liposuction, a neck lifting, or a rhinoplasty. The exact price of the procedure will be shared with you on your medical appointment, after diagnosis.
WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED FOR A MENTOPLASTY?
The anesthesia administered will depend on the combination of procedures defined, but mentoplasty is usually performed with sedation and local anesthesia.
FROM WHAT AGE CAN A MENTOPLASTY BE PERFORMED?
It is necessary to wait for the growth of the facial bones to be complete before undergoing a chin repair. Usually, from the age of 18, everyone can undergo surgery and correct chin anomalies, improving their profile and the mandibular contour.
ARE THERE NON-SURGICAL ALTERNATIVES TO MENTOPLASTY?
The chin can also be enlarged using fat graft or a dermal filler such as hyaluronic acid. However, the results of this type of treatment are not as long-lasting (dermal filler treatments last approximately 9 to 12 months; in fat grafting, the reabsorption is about 40% in the following months, whereas the remaining fat tends to last for several years).
WHEN WILL THE RESULTS BE VISIBLE?
Usually, the results are immediately visible, but the swelling can be misleading at first. The end result of the surgery is usually expected 3 to 6 months after.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A MENTOPLASTY?
Although rare, the most frequent complications associated with placing an implant on the chin are asymmetry, implant visibility, prolonged edema, erosion, infection and altered sensitivity.
IS THERE A RISK OF PROSTHESIS REJECTION?
The risk of rejection of the prosthesis is very low, but when this happens, the prosthesis can be removed and placed again some later time.
WHAT POSITION SHOULD I SLEEP AFTER THE SURGERY?
After surgery, and for approximately 15 days, you should sleep with your head elevated. This position is very important to reduce the edema and avoid trauma/displacement of the prosthesis, when turning the face to the side.
WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK?
The recovery period for a mentoplasty is about one week. From this moment on, you can resume your routines. However, after a week, you will still have some edema (swelling) or bruising. Recovery depends on each individual, so it is important that you return to professional life only when you feel comfortable. It is important to take the prescribed medication and strictly follow all post-operative care to ensure good healing and complete recovery.
WHEN CAN I RESUME GYM ACTIVITIES?
You should not perform physical activity, especially if intense, for 30 days. One month after the surgery you can go back to the gym, but you should gradually increase the intensity of your activities.
DOES MENTOPLASTY PROVIDE A DEFINITIVE RESULT?
We can say that the result of Mentoplasty is quite long-lasting. However, it is important to realize that surgery does not prevent the changes resulting from the natural aging process. Over the years, these changes may compromise the outcome of the surgery at some point, and a revision surgery may be required.
