At our premiere practice in Miami, chin augmentation is a popular procedure for both men and women, as the chin plays an important role in facial aesthetics. Balancing facial proportions can make a big difference in overall appearance while maintaining a natural look. A small chin often makes the face appear shorter and the upper facial features to be more predominant. Our goal with chin augmentation is to find the perfect balance, improving the aesthetic harmony of the face as a whole.
Below, we’ve included information about surgical options, nonsurgical treatments, frequently asked questions, and other information regarding chin augmentation. Our practice is situated in a perfect location to see both Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and other South Florida patients interested in chin augmentation or chin implants. If you’d like to book a consultation or have any questions, please contact us.
BEFORE & AFTERS
Peruse Dr. Ruslan Zhuravsky’s patient photo gallery to view his work and artistry on facial procedures like Rhinoplasty, Facelift, and more.
before
after
Chin augmentation is a procedure that increases and/or changes the shape of the chin. This can be performed through both surgical and non-surgical methods depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. Whichever method is used, the goal is to balance facial features by augmenting the length or forward projection of the chin, as well as enhancing its shape.
Most patients that present for chin augmentation are aware of and bothered by a lower face disproportion. They often feel that their chin is lacking in either vertical height, projection (forward length), or shape. Others may not be aware of the chin size as an issue, but desire an overall improvement in their facial aesthetics.
Chin augmentation is best for patients whose jaw sits appropriately, meaning their upper and lower teeth meet in what is considered an adequate occlusion. Otherwise, we recommend orthodontic evaluation before considering chin augmentation.
There are three main options for chin augmentation: chin implant surgery, bone modifying surgery, or filler. Below, are brief descriptions of each.
The male chin plays an important role in how the jawline is perceived. A strong jawline and lower half of the face are considered more masculine features, so ensuring you have a proportionate chin is crucial. Some men will even grow a beard to accomplish this appearance. In males, we usually opt for implants and shapes that are slightly more boxy or squared off, rather than the taper seen in female chins. This can however vary, depending on overall facial shape and the patient’s goals.
For the female face, the chin plays a pivotal role in balancing its shape, nose length, and lip size. A shorter chin can make the face appear rounder or boxier, and the nose appears longer. It can also create an imbalance in the lower half of the face for those with larger lips. By elongating the chin, you can balance these features to create a soft tapered, feminine appearance.
The chin gives aesthetic harmony and balance to the face. When the chin is smaller or “deficient in size” it can make other areas of the face appear bigger, such as the nose and lips. It can also make the head appear “top-heavy”, wide, or overly round. By adjusting the chin size to more favorable proportions in relation to the rest of the face, we can achieve significant improvement in the overall cosmetic appearance. In specific cases, augmentation can even improve the appearance of jowls by filling the pre-jowl sulcus. In males, a stronger chin gives an overall more masculine and stronger appearance.
Chin augmentation can be performed under general anesthesia, or awake with local anesthesia. Patients lay on their backs with their heads slightly tilted back, similar to a dental procedure. A small incision is made just underneath the chin inside the pre-existing crease. Those with very deficient chin projection might not have much of a crease, and it is important to plan this incision correctly so that it falls into the correct location once the implant is placed. A pocket is then created right on top of the chin/jaw bone, underneath the muscle layer. The size, shape, and orientation of this pocket are very important as they will hold the implant in the proper position. The surgeon then chooses the best size and shape implant for that particular patient and inserts it into the pocket, where it should fit very snuggly. Once it is confirmed that the implant is sitting properly and providing the desired aesthetic outcome, we close the incision in layers. Some surgeons like to put a miniature screw to fixate the implant. Dr. Z does not favor screws, instead, he makes the pocket very small and precise, then uses a long-acting dissolvable suture to make sure the implant does not move.
It is also possible to perform this procedure through the mouth by making an incision inside the bottom lip. This is not Dr. Z’s preferred method due to concerns for infection/contamination from oral bacteria and the disruption of the mentalis muscle.
The bulk of the recovery is one week. Immediately after surgery, the chin area has surgical tape called steri-strips, which help with swelling. A soft face garment is also often placed to help with more compression of the area. Swelling begins immediately after surgery and increases during the first 2 – 3 days. There is a moderate amount of discomfort and pressure-type pain, which is worsened by moving the mouth (speaking, chewing). Patients typically report using the prescribed pain medication for only the first 2-3 days, then switching over to regular Tylenol. Cold compresses are very helpful for both pain and swelling during the first 2 days. We advise that patients stick to eating softer foods that do not require a significant amount of chewing. After one week patients return to the office to remove the surgical tape and sutures underneath the chin. At this point, there is still some swelling but it is significantly reduced and the pain is now more of a soreness. Patients are generally what we deem “socially acceptable” for one week, meaning they can go out in public without worrying that they will stick out or look odd to those walking by them.
Dr. Z is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with thousands of tailored treatments under his belt. Not only is he an expert in the anatomy of the face, but he also understands the latest facial aesthetic trends. Dr. Z believes that education is a lifelong process and prides himself on his dedication to staying at the top of the field.
The cost of chin augmentation in Miami can vary on a number of factors, such as type of anesthesia and level of expertise. Augmentation with filler will depend on the number of syringes needed to achieve the desired goal, which is usually 1-2 syringes for the chin area. Prices will also typically change with time, increasing as most things typically do in the economy. This is one of the reasons we do not post prices online, however, we will be happy to give a price estimate to those that call to inquire.
Our prices are not the lowest, however, we maintain them at a fair value for the level of expertise and care that is provided by our practice. During your consultation with Dr. Z, he’ll be able to provide his recommendations and a tailored cost estimate will be provided.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation for chin augmentation—either fillers or implants—with Dr. Z in our Miami-based office please contact us today. Our practice is perfectly located to see patients in the Miami Metropolitan area, including but not limited to Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, and Hollywood. We look forward to meeting you!
