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Chin Implant

Chin Implant Surgery


Men and women opt for chin augmentation so they have improved balance and better proportion to their faces.  The combination of a prominent nose and receding chin is what draws many to the plastic surgeon’s office.  Sometimes, a chin implant is all that is needed to achieve a balanced profile.  Other times rhinoplasty surgery, or a nose job, in combination with the chin implant will give a person that balance her or she is seeking.   First, with men, we often hear the term “weak” in describing someone whose chin is deficient.  That word, weak, is obviously not the way most men would want to be described.  For a man, having a weak chin can be detrimental to his psyche, making him feel less masculine.  Next, the ideal feminine face may have softer features, but it also maintains a definite balance in terms of proportions of the nose and chin.  The combination of a prominent nose and a receding chin is certainly not optimal.  For both men and women, chin augmentation with an implant or advancement of the bone in the chin area can bring balance and better proportion and can help define the face by increasing projection and creating more distinctive features.

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Am I a good candidate?

Patients with a receding chin or a weak chin or have a rounded face are obviously the best candidates for a chin implant. If you have a chin that looks too small in comparison with other facial features, you would also benefit from this. For example, a chin implant can improve the neckline or make a large nose appear smaller, and help balance out the facial features. Additionally, an optimal candidate is in good health, has no underlying medical conditions, and has realistic expectations of the surgery’s outcome.

The Procedure


Chin implant surgery can be performed as a sole procedure or in combination with other procedures, most commonly rhinoplasty.  Alone, chin implant surgery typically takes one hour and is performed under IV sedation. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon will make a small incision in your natural crease line just under your chin.  By gently stretching this tissue, he can create a space where an implant will be inserted. The implant, made of synthetic material that feels much like natural tissues typically blends nicely with the surrounding tissue creating a very natural look. Another option is to advance the bone in the chin area to achieve a similar result.  Once your implant is in place, your surgeon uses fine dissolvable sutures to close your incision, which once healed is usually imperceptible.

Chin Implant Recovery


Recovery from chin implant surgery is relatively easy.  When you leave our Chicago and Northbrook office, you will be wearing a steri-strip over your incision to promote healing and keep your sutures protected.  Additionally, you can expect some bruising, swelling, and discomfort.   Other than that, you may feel some numbness in your chin that resolves over time.  You will be able to resume your normal daily activities within reason and return to work within a day or two.  It is best to wait a few weeks before going back to an exercise routine.  Over time the sutures will dissolve, and the incision line will mature and blend with the surrounding tissue.

Chin Implant

Frequently Asked Questions


  • Are there different size implants from which to choose?

    Implants are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, allowing a custom fit of the implant to the configurations of your face.  Your plastic surgeon will select the size for you.

  • Why is the implant inserted through an incision under the chin instead of through an incision made inside the mouth?

    The under the chin approach that is less likely to traumatize nerves which could lead to chin numbness. There is also a higher risk of infection and complications with inserting through the mouth because of oral contamination.

  • What is the appropriate age for someone to have chin implant surgery?

    A male should wait until age 18 to have this procedure because prior to that, the thickening of the jawline has not yet finished. The female facial structure matures by age 16, so she may proceed with the surgery after that.

Interested in a Chin Augmentation?
Contact us at (847) 393-4770 today!
Visit our Northbrook office in the greater Chicago area to learn more about this procedure and Dr. Schlechter.

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