Genioplasty | Sliding Genioplasty

What is a genioplasty?

A genioplasty is a surgical procedure in which the shape and/or size of the chin is modified. Some people refer to it as a sliding genioplasty, but this term is falling out of favor because it is a bit misleading. Many surgical movements of the chin can be accomplished with a genioplasty. Most commonly, the chin is augmented in size with an advancement in the forward direction (hence, sliding the chin forward), but the chin can be reduced or shifted as well.

Why would someone want to change the position of their chin?

This is a complex answer. The chin is one of the parts of the body that does not have an obvious function, so the question has been asked, why have we as humans developed chins? How do they help survival? Many answers have been suggested, but the most accepted answer is that the chin developed as an esthetic feature to help attract a mate. A face with a more prominent chin is anthropologically viewed as more confident or powerful, and therefore, more virility. This is controversial of course, but there are proportions that have been scientifically proven to be more esthetically pleasing to the human eye, and a chin that is just the right size and shape provides this esthetic balance to the face.

How is a genioplasty done?

An incision is made in the inside of the lower lip, and the bone of the chin is exposed. A surgical saw is used to cut the bone across from one side to the other, and the chin is moved in the desired direction. The chin is fixated into its new position with titanium plates and screws, and the incision is closed. The bone will take some time to heal, but you will notice the result immediately. The procedure can be done in conjunction with other orthognathic surgery / jaw surgery procedures, or just by itself. If a genioplasty alone is done, it can be done in the office under IV sedation to keep you comfortable.

Preparation

Prior to the procedure, Dr. Rosenfeld will examine you in detail, and discuss your goals at length. Since chin projection and shape is completely subjective, we want to know exactly how you feel about it and want you to be a part of your treatment planning team! We also take a CBCT to get a 3-dimensional model of your skull and soft tissue. This is then uploaded into software which allows Dr. Rosenfeld to plan your surgery down to the fraction of a millimeter. Once the surgery is planned, we design custom fit guides and plates that allow Dr. Rosenfeld to perform the surgery just as accurately.

What is right for me, genioplasty or chin implant?

Great question. Both genioplasty and chin implants can make the chin appear larger or more prominent. Clearly, only a genioplasty can accomplish a reduction in chin size. But for chin enlargement, both procedures can be considered. There are pros and cons to each, and you should discuss them all with your surgeon in making a decision.

One important note: If you have an overbite, but you are trying to avoid jaw surgery by pursuing a genioplasty or chin implant, we urge you to reconsider. We have seen many patients over the years who have tried to camouflage a small lower jaw with a chin advancement. This does not really solve the problem, and patients are generally not satisfied with the outcome. Talk to your surgeon at length, and ask to see simulations so you understand the potential outcomes of each.

Custom 3D printed skull model and titanium plate