Can chin implants shift?
I have a very weak chin. It looks like I don’t have a chin, that’s how bad it is. I’m very self conscious about it, so I’ve been doing research on chin implants. Some personal stories from people say that the implant can shift. Is this true? Also, what is the recovery time like?
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Dear Jonah,Chin implants can certainly shift
after they’ve been inserted. Chin
implants are made out of a solid block of silastic silicone or other inert
polymers. They can come in a variety of
sizes and shapes and inserted under local anesthesia or IV sedation through an
incision under the chin or through the mouth.
The advantage of a chin implant over a soft tissue filler such as fat or
sugar gel is their long-term impact on chin projection. The disadvantage or risk is that over time
the chin implant can erode some of the chin bone away or the implant can get
infected, have to be removed or even shift.
Shift into the implant is uncommon especially when a small pocket is
made, but can certainly occur.
A small pocket with stable fixation,
heated transoral or submental is the best way to minimize the risk of your chin
implant shifting.
Other options to an alloplastic chin implant
include a bony procedure where a part of the chin bone is fractured and moved
forward. This is usually stabilized with
screws and plates and once it heals there is no risk of shifting.
Best of luck. I’m sure you’ll achieve an excellent clinical
outcome.
To schedule a consultation or find
out more please visit: https://www.spamedica.com/cosmetic-plastic-surgery-toronto/facial-cosmetic-surgery/chin-and-cheek-augmentation/
R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Yorkville, Toronto