Jaw Augmentation

Jaw Augmentation and Implant Surgery Procedure, Potential Risks and Recovery

People with strong jawlines are often viewed as attractive and healthy. Having a more defined jawline and facial harmony can also help a person look more youthful, which could also give them a boost of confidence. 

Jaw Implant surgery can help those with normal, deficient, or surgically altered facial structure. Jaw implant procedure, often combined with a chin implant surgery, can improve facial proportions in these patients. Patients with small lower jaws benefit from these implants, including those with skeletal mandibular deficiency, small lower jaw.

Our partner hospitals use two different materials to enhance a patient’s jawline, including silicone and a PMMA customized implant.

A good candidate for Jaw Augmentation

A good candidate for Jaw Augmentation or Jaw Implant surgery are

• Patients with a narrow jaw
• Patients with a weak jawline
• Patients with a weak or recessed chin
• Healthy people
• Patients with realistic expectations
• Patients with a full or double chin caused by a small chin bone

Preparing for Jaw Implant Surgery

In preparation for Jaw Augmentation, a patient may be asked to:

• Complete a physical examination
• Get chest X-ray and lab tests. In some cases, patients may be asked to get a CT scan.
• Stop smoking at least two weeks before and after the surgery. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process.
• Stop taking Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that may increase bleeding
• Plan for recovery

Chewing may be difficult for the first week following the surgery. Patients who decide to go through Jaw Augmentation should have some soup, liquid food and meal supplements prepared for the first 5 days post-surgery.

Jaw Augmentation Procedure

Anesthesia
‍The surgeon will administer medication through local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia.

Incision
‍The surgeon will make different incisions, depending on the technique to be used. In general, incisions are made inside the mouth on either side of the lower lip.

The incision will create a pocket to hold the implant, which will be placed directly on the jaw bone and fixed with titanium screws.

Closing
‍The surgeon will use sutures, skin adhesives, or tapes to close the incision. Dissolvable sutures are normally used to hold an implant to place the implant and close the incisions.

The type of jaw implants to be used for chin surgery will be discussed during a consultation with plastic surgeons. In some cases, fat deposits are used instead of solid implants or silicone chin implants during chin augmentation procedures.
This type of cosmetic surgery is usually an outpatient procedure and is performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia. 

Post-operative Care Following Chin Augmentation Procedure

• Regularly use a mouthwash to prevent infection
• Keep the face and head elevated to reduce swelling
• Wear a compression bandage for at least a month
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Go on a liquid diet for at least two days after the surgery, and switch to soft foods on the doctor’s recommendation
• Stop smoking or drinking alcohol for at least two weeks following the surgery
• Attend all follow-up appointments with the surgeon
• Take off stitches seven days after the surgery

In some cases, the surgeon will apply a chin and face strap following the surgery to help control the swelling at the surgical site. The patient’s mouth will likely be sore and stiff for several weeks after surgery. Sutures that are placed in the mouth are dissolvable and will not need to be removed.

Patients will see the final results of chin augmentation surgery after about 3 months when residual swelling has subsided.

Risks and complications of Jaw Implant surgery

• Pain for up to a month
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• A limitation in how far a patient could open their mouth
• Hematoma or bruising
• Accumulation of fluid
• Numbness or changes in sensation
• Hyperpigmentation
• Shifting of implant
• Asymmetry
• Breakdown of bones
• Capsular contracture

Questions to ask your surgeon before Chin Augmentation Surgery

• Are you board-certified in plastic surgery?
• How many years of experience do you have in cosmetic surgery?
• Do you have specific experiences with facial procedures and cosmetic surgeries, such as face lift, chin enhancement or chin advancement?
• Are the results I am seeking realistic?
• What are the limitations of this surgery?
• Will there be visible scarring?
• Would I need pain medication during my recovery period?
• What type of chin implants would be most appropriate to achieve my desired facial features?
• What is the treatment plan?