What is the Difference between a Chin Implant and a Jaw Implant?
We all want to have a prominent chin and a sharp jawline. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with that exact facial structure. Even when some of us are born with it, factors like ageing, skin laxity and weight can completely alter the look of our face. Cosmetic surgery comes to the rescue and can offer implant solutions for a defined jaw line and a prominent looking chin.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jeremy Hunt has completed many chin procedures in Australia. Dr Hunt is a Sydney plastic surgeon who practices in Sydney and Wollongong.
Plastic Surgeon Dr Maryam Seyedabadi consults at the Woollahra Clinic in East Sydney and is available now for consultations on a range of plastic surgery & cosmetic surgery.
What is a Chin Implant and Jaw Implant ?
· Chin Implant
A Chin Implant surgery or chin augmentation is a surgical procedure that transforms the appearance of your chin. During the surgery, a silicon chin implant will be inserted into your chin to make it look more prominent and well-defined.
· Jaw Implant
A jaw implant is a surgical procedure that involves adding an implant into the jaw to give your jaw and chin a more prominent and sharp appearance. The goal of this treatment is to balance out the proportions of the face and give you a better facial contour.
How are the Chin & Jaw Procedures Performed?
Jaw Implant Surgery
- The surgery will begin with general anaesthesia
- Then, your surgeon will make an incision on the inside of the mouth
- Once the incision is made, the implant will be placed in the space made along the jawbone
- The surgeon will close the incisions with the sutures and apply a bandage over the chin and jaw area
- The procedure generally takes an hour to complete and you will most likely be allowed to go home on the same day of the surgery
Chin Implant Surgery
- The surgery will begin with general or local anaesthesia
- Then, your surgeon will create a small incision. The placement of the incision can be made under the chin or on the inside of the mouth
- Through this incision, the surgeon will create the required space for an implant
- The implant will be placed inside and fitted along the chin bone
- The incisions will be closed with sutures, followed by dressings and bandages
Preparing for Jaw Implant or Chin Implant Surgery
The preparation process for both jaw and chin implants are quite similar. Here are a few suggestions that will help you prepare for the surgery:
- It is important to quit smoking a few weeks prior to the surgery as it can hinder the healing process
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements as they can worsen bruising and lead to excess bleeding
- Make sure to arrange for someone to drive you home on the day of the surgery as you will still be under the effects of anaesthesia and it is deemed unsafe
- Get all the medical tests done required by your surgeon to ensure this procedure is right for you
Guide to Facial Rejuvenation
Facial Rejuvenation
Recovery after Chin Implant and Jaw Implant Surgery
Chin Implant
Most patients who undergo chin implants require only a week time off work and can go back to their regular activities within a week or two. The discomfort associated with the surgery is minimal and can be alleviated with the pain medications prescribed. Your surgeon might ask you to use a cold compress for a few days post the surgery.
Make sure to sleep on your back with your head in an elevated position for the first 2 weeks post-surgery. It will minimise the swelling and help protect your incisions. You will be asked to consume a liquid diet for the initial day or two. Make sure to follow all the instructions given by your surgeon.
Take care of your incisions and keep them clean and dry at all times. Make sure to go to your follow up appointment to ensure you are healing well. You will be able to see the results of the surgery in about one-month post-surgery. Final results will be seen in about 3 to four months’ time frame.
Jaw Implant
You will be able to see the results in about one week of the surgery. Expect to have a lot of bruising during the first two weeks post-surgery. You can use a cold compress along with the prescribed medications to minimise swelling and discomfort.
You will be required to sleep with your head elevated. Most patients will be able to return back to work in about a week or two post the surgery. You will be asked to come in for a follow-up appointment, a week after the surgery to get the stitches removed and ensure you are healing at the right pace.
Potential Risks and Complications of Jaw and Chin Implants
The risks and side effects associated with chin and jaw implants are quite similar. They can include swelling, infection leading to the removal of the implant, complications from anaesthesia, prolonged scarring, excessive bleeding, a shifted implant which can result in the need for corrective surgery, allergic reaction to an implant, scarring, bruising, numbness, and nerve damage.
It is important to follow all the pre and post-treatment care instructions given by your surgeon and choose the right surgeon in the first place to reduce the risks and complications associated with the surgery.
Results of Chin and Jaw Implant Surgery
Chin Implant
Most people will see the final results of the chin implant surgery in about three to four months. By this time, all the swelling will subside down and you will be able to enjoy the results to the fullest.
Jaw Implant
You will be able to see the results in about one week’s time frame. However, the swelling will take a few months to subside down until you can see the final outcome of the surgery.
Which Procedure is Right for Me?
If you only need to enhance the appearance of your chin, a chin implant is the best option for you. However, if you wish to add more definition to your jaw area along with the chin, jaw implant surgery may help.
With that being said, there is more to getting a surgical procedure than your choice. The best way to determine the suitability of any of these procedures for you is to book an appointment with a plastic surgeon. He/she will have a close look at your face, review your medical history, listen to your aesthetic goals and then create a suitable action plan for you.
While you can educate yourself on different procedures, the final call will be made by the plastic surgeon.
FAQS about Chin Implant and Jaw Implant Surgery
Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding chin and jaw implants:
Do chin implants last forever?
- Most silicone chin & jaw implants can last for a lifetime. If the implants are taken from bone or fat tissue that is taken from the body, they might get partially reabsorbed.
Does a chin implant change your smile?
- The chin implant is placed under the chin which is one of the many muscles that impact the movement of lips that can bring a temporary change in your smile.
How painful is a chin implant?
- Chin implant is typically performed under anaesthesia. You won’t experience any pain during the procedure. Some patients might experience some discomfort post-surgery but is usually countered with pain killers.
What can go wrong with a chin implant?
- Infections, oral incompetence, displacement of the implant, damage of the mental nerve, and bone resorption are some of the possible complications that may be associated with a chin implant.
Can your body reject a chin implant?
- Silicone is rather inert in the human body. Rejection typically doesn’t occur in the case of a chin implant. However, it can become infected, in which case it may have to be removed, but that is very rare.
Do chin implants look natural?
- Chin implants are designed to look fairly natural but requires careful design from a plastic surgeon.
Should I have a chin implant?
People have different reasons to undergo a chin implant surgery. You might want to get a chin implant if:
- You wish to reduce the appearance of a double chin
- You want to improve facial harmony by adding balance to your chin and face
- You want to strengthen the look of a recessed and underdeveloped chin
Does health insurance cover chin implants?
- Australian Medicare and health insurance providers do not usually cover the cost of chin implant surgery as it is considered purely cosmetic.
How often does a chin implant need to be replaced?
- Most silicone chin implants last a lifetime and do not need to be replaced. However, if your implant has become infected, you will need implant removal or removal and replacement.
Can a chin implant make you sick?
- Although chin implant surgery is considered to be a fairly safe procedure, infections can occur. Some of the possible signs of chin infection include redness, pain, weeping or draining wound, and fever.
Can a chin implant shift?
- Yes, the implant could shift and move immediately post-surgery or after some time.
Can chin implant surgery make my face slim?
- A chin implant can balance out your face, make your nose look smaller, and enhance the look of your neckline. This can give the illusion of a slimmer face.
What celebrities have chin implants?
- Mickey Rourke and Marilyn Monroe are just two of the celebrities rumoured to have undergone chin augmentation along with plenty of others. However, no one has admitted to getting the implants.
Why don’t I have a defined jawline?
- You can blame a lot of factors behind the lack of definition of the jawline- ageing, excess fat, genetics and skin laxity. Regardless of the reason, it can be corrected with a bit of cosmetic help.
What qualifies as a weak chin?
- Click a picture of your facial profile. Have a close look at the position of your chin with respect to the lower lip. If the chin’s forward-most point is forward or on the same vertical plane as your lower lip, you have a strong chin. If your chin lies behind this point, your chin is considered weak or regresssive.
How can I hide my weak chin?
- Luckily men can hide it with beards. For women, it is quite difficult but with a makeup contouring technique, it can be masked. The only permanent treatment is to get a chin implant.
Mentoplasty vs genioplasty: what is the main difference?
- There’s actually no difference between genioplasty and mentoplasty. They both are designed to alter the look of your chin in order to meet your aesthetic preferences.
Can I see chin implant before & after pictures during the consultation?
- Of course, once you come in for a consultation, you will be shown before and after pictures of past chin surgery patients.
Chin augmentation vs chin implant: What’s the difference?
- They are essentially the same procedure. These two names are used interchangeably and there is no difference between the two.
What is sliding genioplasty?
- A sliding genioplasty is a surgery where the shape of the chin is changed by moving the chin bone forward, rather than using a chin implant.
Further Reading about Chin Surgery
- Read Dr Hunt’s Chin Surgery page
- Read Dr Hunt’s Chin Augmentation Surgery page
- Read Dr Hunt’s Chin Reduction Surgery page
- See Dr Hunt’s Real Patient Chin Surgery Before and After Photos
Medical References
- WebMd on Cheek, Jaw, and Chin Implants
- ABCS on All About Chin Enhancement
- Facial Implants page on ASPS Australia
About Dr Jeremy Hunt – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.
Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is optimal for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and, through his guidance, can achieve good results.
Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has given thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia the aesthetic results they desire.
Dr Hunt’s qualifications and education
Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgery. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.
Next Step – Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt
Want more information before scheduling your consultation?
- Find out more about pricing, medical payment plans and paying for your surgery
- Request more information about the procedure – call on 1300 157 200 or contact us
If breast reduction is something you’re considering, Dr Hunt can thoroughly explain all the options to you in a one-on-one consultation.
- Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.
