Chin Surgery in Miami

Chin surgery, or genioplasty, refers to procedures that reshape the chin. This may involve surgical alteration of the underlying bone or placement of an alloplastic facial implant. The goal of cosmetic chin surgery is to bring the chin and lower third of the face into proportion with other facial features.

Dr. Rian Maercks offers chin surgery at his Miami Beach practice, along with many other procedures for facial plastic surgery.

Who Should Consider Chin Surgery in Miami?

If your chin is relatively small – that is, small in relation to your nose or other features – then chin surgery may be right for you. Smallness of the chin is sometimes referred to as microgenia, caused by a lack of facial bone structure. When a person is affected by microgenia, the other facial features (the nose or brow) often appear more prominent.  It is very common that a patient interested in a nose job (rhinoplasty) actually would be better served with chin surgery along with rhinoplasty or even chin surgery alone.

Good candidates are healthy, non-smoking patients who are capable of understanding the risks, benefits and realistic outcomes of chin surgery. If you are interested in chin surgery, Dr. Maercks can help you determine if the procedure can safely meet your cosmetic goals.

The Procedure: What to Expect During Chin Surgery

When chin surgery is performed alone, the operation takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Local or general anesthesia may be utilized, depending on the doctor’s recommendation.

Sliding genioplasty, a more involved technique in chin surgery in Miami, requires surgical removal of bone, which is slid forward or backward as necessary. This is Dr. Maercks' preferred technique as it allows complete correction of any aesthetic balance in any dimension and does not have late complications associated with implants. This technique can help to reduce a prominent chin, augment a chin that lacks projection and adjust balance to the vertical thirds of the face.

Although chin implants are easy and quick to place, they are rarely used in Dr. Maercks' practice. There are significant risks of early and late malposition, nerve damage, and chin implants always erode the underlying bone and overlying soft tissues over time. This can lead to more complex reconstructive issues. Chin implants can only correct small horizontal deficiencies, and cannot restore harmony to disharmonious vertical thirds of the face.

To place a chin implant, the doctor will choose an alloplastic (often silicone rubber) prosthetic that matches your facial anatomy. With an incision below the chin or inside the mouth, the implant is placed in front of the jawbone. After the implant is secured in place, the doctor closes the incision with sutures and applies a soft dressing.

Life After Chin Surgery in Miami

Patients who undergo chin surgery may experience some swelling, bruising and discomfort. Dr. Maercks will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics for the recovery period. He may also prescribe a soft diet and a specific, but temporary, oral hygiene regimen. Typical recovery time with chin surgery is about 7-10 days.

To find out more about chin surgery in Miami, contact the Miami Beach plastic surgery practice of Rian A. Maercks M.D.