A defined, proportionately projected chin is essential for a balanced facial appearance. When the chin is over- or undersized, excessively protruding or receding, or asymmetrical, it may cause the nose, ears or other features to appear disproportionate when they are not.
Genioplasty is the medical name for chin surgery. Using a variety of techniques, a plastic surgeon can alter the size, position and projection of the chin to achieve better facial harmony. Genioplasty is often performed in combination with other procedures for comprehensive facial enhancement.
For Asian chin surgery in Sydney, you can trust the specialist plastic surgeons at Asian Plastic Surgery to provide the highest quality care. Learn more about genioplasty below and request a consultation here.
Why Is Genioplasty Popular With Asian Patients?
Facial bone contouring surgeries are common in Asia. While no ethnicities or individuals share exactly the same characteristics, there are certain features we observe more often in Asian patients than in other ethnicities.
In some Asian populations, it is common to see a receding chin that is considered ‘too weak’ or a chin that protrudes and is considered ‘too strong’. These features may be accompanied by flaring of the front teeth, a retruded mid-face, a wider face with shorter vertical height, a lack of brow and nasal projection, or a square jaw.
Genioplasty can improve facial symmetry and give the face more three-dimensionality. It can also help balance facial proportions and achieve the narrow, delicate facial shape that is prized in many Asian cultures.
What Are the Cosmetic Benefits of Genioplasty Surgery?
With Asian chin surgery, we can accomplish a variety of aesthetic goals:
- Build up a weak or receding chin
- Minimise an overly large or protruding chin
- Enhance facial symmetry and harmony
- Correct chin asymmetry
- Creating a more oval-shaped facial profile
Choosing a surgeon who specialises in Asian plastic surgery ensures your procedure will be performed by someone who understands the complexity of Asian anatomy and skin, as well as Asian beauty standards, trends and cultural preferences. Our specialist plastic surgeons have a keen appreciation for the unique needs of Asian patients when performing genioplasty and other facial bone contouring surgeries.
Can Genioplasty Make the Face More Symmetrical?
Genioplasty can improve lower facial symmetry by adjusting the chin’s position in relation to the rest of the face. Small degrees of asymmetry can be addressed by shifting the chin segment laterally, vertically, or forward. The result depends on the underlying bone structure and the specific adjustments made during surgery.
Are There Any Functional Benefits of Genioplasty Surgery?
People typically undergo chin surgery for cosmetic reasons. However, some medical conditions may also require surgical intervention.
Genioplasty, when combined with lower jaw advancement, can be used to alleviate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly throughout the night. A chin advancement procedure can pull the tissues behind the tongue forward and open up the airway, creating space for the patient to breathe freely while sleeping.
Genioplasty can also improve lip incompetence, a condition characterised by the inability to seal the lips when at rest without straining the muscles around the mouth. Bringing the chin forward and vertically shortening it can create an upward push on the lower lip, reducing the lip incompetence problem.
How Is Genioplasty Performed?
Genioplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. The incision is made inside the mouth, so there is no visible scarring after the operation. Cuts are then made in the chin bone below the teeth so it can be realigned according to your needs.
Once the wedge of bone that has been cut is repositioned, it is reattached with the help of plates and screws. Bone will grow back over time to secure the repositioned wedge naturally.
The incision is then stitched closed, and compression tape is placed on the outside of the mouth and chin to protect the area during early healing.
What Techniques Are Commonly Used in Asian Genioplasty?
Chin surgery is commonly used to bring a retruded chin forward or push a protruding chin back. It may also be used to adjust the vertical height of the chin or reposition the chin horizontally to correct asymmetry. Plastic surgeons use various techniques to achieve these goals, including sliding genioplasty, jumping genioplasty, reduction genioplasty, widening genioplasty and more.
A Closer Look at the Types of Genioplasty
Sliding Genioplasty
In a sliding genioplasty, the chin bone is cut and repositioned to adjust the projection or height of the chin. It is used for patients with a receding chin who want to bring it forward without using an implant to augment it. Sliding genioplasty gives us control over the chin’s shape and position.
Jumping Genioplasty
If the patient wants slightly more projection than can be achieved with a sliding genioplasty, we may use a jumping genioplasty. During this surgery, the chin segment is moved forward and slightly upward to increase the projection even more. The bone is fixed in position with plates and screws that remain in place under the skin.
Reduction Genioplasty
During chin reduction genioplasty, we remove a portion of the chin bone to decrease projection, width, or height. This can be used when the chin appears more prominent or elongated in proportion to the rest of the face. This method refines the lower third of the face without altering the surrounding features and can be right for Asian patients who want a softer and more tapered contour.
Widening Genioplasty
Widening genioplasty is considered when the chin is narrow in proportion to the overall facial features. We create a split in the bone and expand the gap to increase the width, securing the repositioned bone.
How Do Surgeons Plan for Genioplasty Surgery?
We start with a detailed assessment of your facial proportions, skeletal structure and aesthetic aims. This may include a clinical examination and imaging studies such as X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate the position of your chin in relation to your jaw, teeth, and overall facial symmetry. We will determine the exact bone cuts, degree of movement and fixation method we plan to implement. In some cases, patients need to have dental evaluations, avoid certain medications, and follow other specific instructions before the surgery.
What to Expect During Your Recovery From Genioplasty
During your healing period, expect swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness in your lower face and chin. You may also experience numbness or tingling in your chin and lower lip during the early stages of your recovery.
You will need to avoid any activities that are too strenuous, but moving around can improve blood flow and prevent complications such as blood clots. You will be restricted to a soft or liquid diet for the first several days to avoid putting pressure on the surgical site.
We provide you with guidelines regarding any prescription oral mouth rinses, compression garments or oral hygiene that you will need to be aware of. We will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and make sure the bone is stabilising properly. It can take time for the swelling to go down and for the final shape of your chin to become apparent.
When Can I Return to Work or School?
Most people can resume non-physical work or school activities within one to two weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery and how quickly the swelling subsides. Swelling, bruising, and limited mouth movement may affect your comfort in social settings during the early stages.
Is the Hardware Permanent?
The small plates and screws used to secure the bone in place are made from medical-grade titanium and are intended to remain in the body. They are biocompatible and generally do not cause any issues once healing is complete. Removal is rarely necessary unless the hardware becomes noticeable or causes irritation.
Are There Other Options for Enhancing the Chin?
There are a few other ways to reshape or resize the chin to improve facial harmony. The critical thing to note is that each of these options adds to the chin. Therefore, options like fillers and chin implants are only appropriate for patients whose goals can be achieved via chin augmentation.
Genioplasty vs. Fillers
Injectable dermal fillers are a temporary, minimally invasive solution for chin augmentation. Fillers can be placed quickly and comfortably during an office visit and last for approximately six to 12 months before dissolving. Genioplasty is a longer and more invasive procedure that requires recovery time, but the trade-off is permanent results.
Genioplasty vs. Chin Implant
Chin implants are manufactured in assorted shapes and sizes. The procedure is less invasive than genioplasty and therefore involves less discomfort and downtime. The incision for a chin implant is located underneath the chin, so it is not invisible like a genioplasty incision. There is also a risk of implant-related complications that is not present with genioplasty. Both procedures can offer permanent results.
How Is Genioplasty Different From V-Line Surgery?
V-line surgery combines chin surgery and jaw surgery to create a slender lower face shape or sculpt a sharper chin profile. Incisions are made inside the mouth, then the lower jaw bone (mandible) is filed down, and a portion of bone is removed. V-line surgery is a powerful way to reshape the face, creating a better-defined lower face profile.
How Is Genioplasty Different From Double Jaw Surgery?
Double jaw surgery addresses both the upper jaw and the lower jaw simultaneously. It can provide cosmetic and/or functional improvements by resizing, repositioning or reshaping the jaw bones to bring them into more optimal alignment. This is different from genioplasty, where the focus is specifically on the chin.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Genioplasty?
Candidates who may be considered for genioplasty are those who are in good overall health, do not smoke, and have a stable bite alignment. It is also important for the facial bones to have finished developing. If you have untreated dental malocclusion, ongoing periodontal disease, or underlying health conditions that could impair healing, you may not be a suitable candidate.
What Are the Risks and Limitations of Genioplasty?
Genioplasty carries risks that should be carefully considered during the planning process. Complications can affect healing, sensation, or the final appearance of the chin. Potential risks may include:
- Temporary or permanent numbness in the chin or lower lip: The mental nerve, which supplies sensation to the lower lip and chin, may be stretched or disturbed during surgery, leading to numbness that may improve with time but can sometimes be long-lasting.
- Infection at the incision site: As with any procedure that involves cutting bone or tissue, there is a risk of infection, which may require antibiotics or additional intervention.
- Poor bone healing or shifting of the bone segment: If the bone does not heal properly or shifts from its intended position, further surgery may be needed to stabilise or reposition it.
- Asymmetry or irregular contour: Slight differences in bone movement or healing can result in an uneven appearance, which may become more noticeable as swelling subsides.
- Prolonged swelling or bruising: Swelling and bruising are expected in the early stages of recovery, but in some cases, they may persist longer and take additional time to resolve.
- Need for revision surgery: If the initial outcome does not meet surgical goals or complications arise, a second procedure may be recommended to adjust the result.
How Much Does Genioplasty Cost?
The cost of genioplasty will depend on the complexity of the procedure, the type of genioplasty performed, hospital or facility fees, anaesthesia, and whether it is performed alone or alongside other procedures. This is usually an elective procedure that is not covered by Medicare or private insurance except in cases of congenital deformity, lip incompetence or absence of tissue. You will receive a personalised quote during your consultation that takes all of these factors into consideration.
About Dr Ngo
Dr Quan Ngo is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with training in facial skeletal surgery. After completing his medical degree at UNSW and surgical training in Sydney, he pursued further fellowship training in the UK, France, and Taiwan, with a strong focus on the head and neck region. His experience in both reconstructive and aesthetic facial surgery gives him a deep understanding of how modifying the facial skeleton can influence overall facial balance.
Dr Ngo frequently performs chin reduction and advancement procedures, particularly for Asian patients seeking structural refinement in line with their facial proportions. He combines a technical approach with knowledge of cultural and anatomical considerations.
Learn More About Genioplasty in Sydney
If you are interested in learning more about your options for Asian facial bone contouring, including genioplasty, contact Asian Plastic Surgery in Sydney. Our specialist plastic surgeons have advanced credentials and decades of experience, as well as the inquisitive and approachable nature required to ensure you have a positive experience. Call us on (02) 8962 9388 or send us a message to schedule your appointment.
