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As the chin is usually the most protrusive part of  the lower face, its shape is clearly evident. While the shape of the human chin is highly variable there are some general trends based on gender. The male chin is known to usually be bigger than that of females in both projection but almost always in width. The male chin width can be round or more square-like based on genetics and growth.

The square chin has been for some time and remains currently a desired male facial trait. There has always been a lot of conjecture that it is an appealing facial feature to women due to the evolutionary need for procreation and furtherance of the species. It implies strength and virility and the appearance of a ‘high testosterone’ level. At the least its angular appearance adds facial highlights and makes the face more interesting.

In chin augmentation the only way to make a chin wider and more square is with an implant to do so. Of all the styles of jaw implants that are available, a square chin implant style does exist. It differs from most chin implants in that rather than having a round comfigurarion, it has more of a U shape. This broad U-shape makes for a more square chin appearance by adding thickness between the transition between the chin and the side of the jawline.

The square chin implant is usually placed through a submental incision since it is used exclusively in men who can easily tolerate this incisional approach. The additional width of the implant requires that a good pocket is created along the sides of the jawline to accommodate the long winds of this chin implant style.

There are two square chin implant styles, style 1 and style 2. Style 1 is more narrow (45mms) than Style 2. (55mms) The key to selection of which chin implant style is the width of the mouth. As  a general rule the width of a square chin implant should be no greater than a vertical line dropped down from the corners of the mouth on each side. When the chin width exceeds the width off the mouth it can look unnatural.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

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