Best Chin Surgeons in Turkey

What is chin surgery?

Chin surgery, medically called mentoplasty, covers procedures that change the size, position or shape of the chin to balance the facial profile. A small, set-back chin can make the nose look larger or blur the jawline. A chin that is too prominent or long can make the lower face look dominant.

Chin surgery usually involves only the tip of the chin and does not change how the teeth meet. If there is a marked bite problem between the upper and lower jaws, the issue is not only cosmetic. In that case orthognathic (jaw) surgery planned together with orthodontics is considered. This distinction should be made at the consultation, because chin surgery does not correct a bite problem.

When assessing the chin, the surgeon looks at how the forehead, nose and lips relate in profile.

How is chin surgery performed?

Chin surgery is done either by placing an implant on the chin or by cutting and repositioning the chin bone. In a chin implant, an implant made of silicone or porous polyethylene is placed in front of the bone through a small incision inside the mouth or under the chin. In a sliding genioplasty, the chin bone is cut from inside the mouth and moved forward, back, up or down. The bone is then fixed in its new position with small plates and screws.

1. The examination assesses the facial profile, the bite and the jaw bone.
2. If genioplasty is planned, an X-ray or CT scan of the jaw may be requested.
3. An implant can be placed under local anaesthesia with sedation, or under general anaesthesia.
4. Genioplasty is usually done under general anaesthesia.
5. Incisions are closed, and a supportive tape may be applied to the chin.

A chin implant usually takes about an hour, and genioplasty usually one to two hours. When chin surgery is done together with a nose job in one session, it is called profileplasty.

Who is a good candidate for chin surgery, and who is not?

Chin surgery is considered for adults whose facial bones have finished growing, whose bite is suitable and who are in good general health. The surgeon decides on suitability after an examination. These situations need extra assessment:

• A marked bite problem between the upper and lower jaws
• Untreated tooth or gum infection
• Pain or clicking in the jaw joint
• Bone growth that is not yet complete
• Uncontrolled diabetes or a bleeding disorder
• Smoking

Before surgery through the mouth, dental and gum health should be checked, because infection in the mouth can slow healing. For people with only a slight lack of volume, a temporary option such as hyaluronic acid filler may be discussed. Filler wears off over time and does not change the bone.

How long does recovery take after chin surgery?

Noticeable swelling and bruising usually settle within one to two weeks, and most people return to desk work during this period. After incisions inside the mouth, soft foods and rinsing with the solution your surgeon recommends are advised in the first days. Temporary numbness of the chin and lower lip is common.

It can take a few months for the final shape to settle. After genioplasty, contact sports and activities that risk a blow to the chin are usually postponed for several weeks while the bone heals.

Are chin surgery results permanent?

The change made to the bone in genioplasty is permanent. Chin implants are designed to stay in place long term, but may need to be removed if they shift or become infected. The soft tissues of the face continue to change with age.

What are the risks of chin surgery?

The main risks are altered sensation in the lower lip, infection, implant displacement and asymmetry. The risks can be listed as follows:

• Numbness of the lower lip and chin, usually temporary but sometimes permanent
• Bleeding and infection
• Implant displacement or problems that require removal
• Bone erosion under the implant
• Asymmetry or a profile that does not meet expectations
• Injury to tooth roots or delayed bone healing after genioplasty
• A scar under the chin if an external incision was used
• Temporary changes in lower lip movement

If swelling increases, you develop a fever or there is discharge from the incision, contact your surgeon.

What is the difference between a chin implant, genioplasty and jaw surgery?

A chin implant and genioplasty change only the chin, while orthognathic surgery corrects how the jaws sit relative to each other. An implant adds volume. Genioplasty can move the bone in any direction, which is why it is preferred when the chin needs to be shortened or set back. Nose surgery may also be planned with the chin to balance the profile.

What affects the cost of chin surgery?

The cost depends on whether an implant or bone surgery is chosen and on any combined procedures. Price ranges are shown in a separate section of this page. The main factors are:

• Implant or genioplasty
• The implant material, or the plates and screws used in genioplasty
• Additional procedures in the same session, such as nose surgery
• The type of anaesthesia and length of hospital stay
• Imaging before surgery
• The city where the facility is located

The exact fee is set after an examination and a written treatment plan.

How do you choose a surgeon for chin surgery?

Look for a surgeon from a specialty experienced in facial skeletal surgery. In Turkey, chin surgery is performed by specialists in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and by ENT specialists working in facial plastic surgery. If there is a bite problem, an orthodontist should join the planning. You can ask:

• What is the surgeon's specialty certification and chin surgery experience?
• Is an implant or genioplasty recommended for you, and why?
• What material is the implant made of, and what documents come with it?
• Has your bite been assessed?
• Which licensed healthcare facility will the operation take place in?
• What is the schedule of follow-up visits?

You can compare surgeons who perform chin surgery on DoktorNo by city.