Based on anatomy and an understanding of their interrelationships, the following are important aesthetic tenets about manipulations of the chin region: These particuaklrly relate to augmentation
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Men will tolerate a larger chin than women
It is generally acceptable to augment the chin in a male to a vertical line dropped down from the lower lip. Men can tolerate more agggressive chin augmentation outcomes.
2. Always undercorrect a woman’s chin.
Unlike men don’t bring the chin as far forward as a vertical line dropped doen from the lower lip in females . That will almost always be seen as too srtong.
3. Bringing the chin forward, whether by osteotomy or implant, willmake the chin look longer in most cases.
Because of the rollout of the soft tissue chin pad any form of chin augmentation will make the chjn look a bit longer.
4.There are more effective options for advancing the chin than there are for reducing a prominent one.
Chin augmentation is always an ‘easier’ surgery because, no matter how it is done, it stretches out the soft tissue chin pad risking no soft tissue issues.
5. Bony chin reduction is the most challenging of all aesthetic chin surgeries.
Unlike chin augmentation, which stretches out the soft tissue chin pad and submental tissues, chin reduction often creates soft tissue excesses which can adversely affect the aesthetic outcome if not concurrently managed,
6. Soft tissue redundancies are aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to correct.
7. Significant lower lip eversion may be a sign of an underlying malocclusion, not just an isolated retrogenia.
8. A deep labiomental fold in retrogenia correction will make the chin pad appear postoperatively large when augmented.
9. A high labiomental fold (i.e., a high chin pad percentage) when augmented will produce a larger chin effect.
10. A cleft chin is a function of central mentalis muscle deficiency not a groovein the bone.
11. Liposuction should never be performed on the chin pad for reduction. Irreversible skin irregularities and adherent scarring will ensue.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Plastic Surgeon