Plastic surgery is one of the marvels of modern medicine, with a wide range of options for face and body improvements. And today’s media outlets make it easier than ever before to gather information on the latest plastic surgery procedures. But how does this information apply to you and your concerns?
Every person is unique and has his or her own desires. What procedure or combination of treatments is right for you? And what can you really expect? EXPLORE PLASTIC SURGERY with Dr. Barry Eppley, Indianapolis plastic surgeon, who can provide you with a wealth of practical and up-to-date insights into the world of plastic surgery through his regular blog posts. In his writings, Dr. Eppley covers diverse topics on facial and body contouring procedures. You will be sure to find useful information that will help broaden and enrich your plastic surgery education.
Chin augmentation has been a procedure that has a near seventy-five year history of being done in humans. It remains as a fairly simple and highly effective method for improving the most prominent area of the lower third of the face. Many different materials have been used to serve as a chin implant but synthetic technology accounts for most augmentations due to their ease of use, low cost, and long-term stability of the result.
For patients considering chin augmentation, there are three considerations one should ponder. While many plastic surgeons have their preferred methods, usually with good reasons, patients today are better educated and can participate more fully in preoperative planning.
The first consideration is that of the choice of implant material. Vulcanization technology has allowed for silicone rubber (silastic) to long be the only material of choice. Silicone chin implants are the least expensive and the most flexible and they can be inserted through the smallest of incisions. Medpor (polyethylene) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Gore-Tex) are more recent chin implant materials who have a long history in many other types of surgical implants. Medpor is fairly stiff (needs bigger incisions to insert) and is porous, which in theory offers some biologic advantages. (vascular ingrowth) PTFE is softer than even silicone with some limited porosity on its surface.
The different chemical compositions and properties of the implant materials may seem confusing. But in my opinion, they are no proven biologic advantages to any of the implant materials. They all will work. The body still sees them as a well-tolerated foreign body which becomes encapsulated. The important differences between them, in my opinion, relates to the second consideration….what different styles, shapes, and sizes do the various manufacturers offer. Chin augmentation today can create a wide variety of geometric changes to this part of the lower jaw… from round to square, central to more lateral projections, to even include the creation of a chin cleft or dimple. Think about your chin shape carefully and how it will affect your overall facial shape. What shape does it have now and what would you like it to become? Do you want a more sculpted and more defined facial look? Do you want to overcome a larger nose and a shorter neck? Do you want it to look more masculine or feminine? Many implant styles and sizes exist. Consult carefully with your plastic surgeon to get the look you are after that best fits your face.
Lastly, what insertion route for the implant do you prefer? They can be placed through an incision under the chin (submental) or through the inside of the mouth. (vestibular) Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In the right hands, either approach can work successfully. The most versatile and least prone to potential problems is the submental approach. Many patients worry about the potential scar but that is an unnecessary concern. Coming from below has the advantages of getting the implant down at the inferior edge of the bone, permits easy screw insertion if desired, and allows neck liposuction or submentoplasty to be performed through the same incision. The submental approach is also associated with the least potential for mentalis muscle dysfunction and lower lip incompetence.
Chin augmentation today offers subtle but important aesthetic options for patients to consider. There is no one single way or one implant that is better than another. Consult with a plastic surgeon who is well versed with the different materials and approaches so you are not getting just the ‘standard approach’, but a chin augmentation surgery that has been designed for you.
Dr. Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis
Tags: chin augmentation, chin implant, dr barry eppley, indianapolis, medpor chin implants, plastic surgery, silicone chin implants
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