A chin augmentation is a surgical procedure to reshape or enhance the size of the chin.

Chin augmentation is usually done to balance the face by making the chin longer compared to the nose. Surgery may be performed in the surgeon's office, a hospital, or an outpatient clinic.

You will have x-rays taken of your face and chin, which the doctor will use to determine what part of the chin to operate on.

One surgical approach is to make a cut inside the mouth along the lower gum. This gives the surgeon access to the chin bone. The surgeon uses a bone saw or chisel to make a second cut through the jaw bone. The jaw bone is moved forward to the desired position and wired or screwed in place. The cut is closed with stitches and a bandage is applied. Since the surgery is performed inside the mouth, you can't see any scars.

When you need only a little bit of chin augmentation to round out the chin, the surgeon may use real bone or an implant made of silicone, Teflon, or Dacron. For this procedure, a cut is made either inside the mouth or outside under the chin. A pocket is created in front of the chin bone and under the muscles, and the implant is placed inside. The cut is closed with stitches and a bandage is applied. The scar is barely visible.

Surgery to correct bite problems can be done at the same time as chin surgery.

The best candidates for chin augmentation are people with weak or receding chins (microgenia), but who have a normal dental bite.

Before your surgery, discuss your expectations about looking and feeling better with the plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection.

The most common complications of chin augmentation are:

• Bruising
• Movement of the implant
• Swelling

Other possible complications include:

• Damage to the teeth
• Loss of sensation

Rare side effects include:

• Blood clots
• Infection

Nicotine from smoking can delay healing.

You will feel some discomfort and soreness, which you can easily control with medication. You might have to stick to a liquid diet for a day or two. You can resume light activity the day of surgery.

You should be able to return to work and your usual activity within 7 to 10 days. You'll probably have the outside bandage removed within a week of surgery.

McGrath MH. Elective plastic surgical procedures in adolescence. Adolesc Med Clin. 2004;15(3):487-502.

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2005:810-811.