People in western culture
think highly of a strong jaw line, which is associated with powerful
personality traits. Chin implants can be used to counteract the effects of a
weak or receding chin, giving a stronger, more defined jaw line and balancing
the other facial features. Cosmetic reasons aside, chin implants can also be
used as part of reconstructive plastic surgery to repair damage sustained in an
accident or during cancer treatment.
Deciding whether cosmetic chin
implants are suitable for you involves reflecting on how much distress your
current chin and jaw shape is causing you. It is a good idea to look in detail
at what the procedure involves and to get advice and information so you can
think carefully about the risks involved.
What is chin implant surgery?
A chin implant operation
involves the insertion of a silicone implant underneath the skin of the chin,
via a tiny incision made inside your mouth or externally in the crease just
below your chin. The size and shape of the implant is chosen by your surgeon, who
uses his or her experience to decide what will best suit your facial features.
Once the chin implant is in place, the incision is closed and there is very
little, if any visible scar.
What can chin implants achieve?
A weak chin may create a
distorted facial appearance. For example, a weak jaw line may make a normal
nose look big and a larger nose look larger still. Chin implants can play a
role in bringing harmony to the overall look of the face and they can also
improve the look of your neckline. Chin implants usually produce a completely
natural look; people may notice that you look better, but they will rarely know
why.
Considering a chin implant?
Chin implants are not
recommended until the chin bones have finished growing, so chin implant surgery
should not be done until you are at least 18.
Although it is a
relatively minor surgery, you will still need to be in good physical and
emotional health and this is something that your surgeon will check carefully
beforehand.
The surgery takes between
one and two hours and you will need to be physically fit enough to undergo
general anaesthetic or sedation without an increased risk of complications.
Your weight, general fitness, blood pressure and medical history will all be
taken into account to assess your risk level and decide if this is acceptable.
Since the vast majority of
chin implants are done for the emotional and psychological benefit of the
patient rather than out of medical necessity, your emotional state will also
need to be considered. It can be quite traumatic to change the way you look and
evidence shows that the older you are, the less likely it is that you will be
pleased with the outcome.
Chin implants can’t work miracles!
If you go ahead assuming
that chin implants are the answer to all of your problems, you will be
disappointed. When considering whether chin implants are right for you, you
need to keep your feet on the ground. To have the best chance of being happy
with the outcome, you need to have realistic expectations.
Your surgeon will help you
get a realistic idea of what chin implants can achieve by showing you photographs
of other patients who have had this type of surgery. You should also research
the procedure online to find out as much as you can. If possible, see if you
can talk to someone who has had chin implants so that you gain an insight into
their personal experience.
Remember that while a weak
jaw line may make you feel self-conscious, chin implants will not automatically
cure all your emotional and social issues and you should not expect too much
from the surgery. With a sensible attitidute, cosmetic surgery can give you
confidence to help you overcome these problems. Your surgeon will discuss these
issues and implications with you and may suggest you speak with a professional
counsellor before you proceed.
The financial cost of chin implants
A final factor to consider
when assessing whether chin implant surgery is right for you is the cost
implication. Chin implants cost thousands of pounds and you will need to be off
work at least a week following the procedure. You may not be able to take this
as sick leave and may have to use holidays or take the time unpaid.
Are there risks associated with chin implants?
Chin implants involved
relatively minor surgery that is fairly low risk. However, the operation is not
risk-free and you should consider what can go wrong when deciding if chin
implants are right for you.
The success of your
surgery will depend on the skill and experience of your surgeon, but even with
the very best surgeon, you may still experience infections, blood clots and
slippage or uneven settling of the implants that may require further surgery to
correct and therefore longer off work.
If the chin implants are
inserted from an external incision, you will be left with a small scar beneath
your chin. You can avoid this by opting for an internal incision, made through
your mouth, but this increases the risks of infection and healing problems due
to the bacteria and plaque present in the mouth cavity. Your surgeon will
advise on the most suitable option.
