Reduction or Augmentation of Chin MENTOPLASTY

The mentoplasty is one of the most practiced techniques and of more satisfaction inside the facial plastic surgery. By means of the increase of size of the chin, the face acquires the necessary balance to achieve a harmonic and more juvenile appearance.

A very small chin can be corrected through an unique ambulatory procedure or at the same time with other interventions like of the nose. This surgery is fulfilled placing a small implant through an incision intraoral (inside the mouth), or in the neck under the chin where it is appropriately camouflaged.

In the mentoplasty the surgeon uses an implant from silicone that is very natural to the area of the jaw. The surgery is very brief and it is realized under anesthesia local with minimum annoyances. The increase of this area of the face causes a dramatic change and of high satisfaction in the patients, evens more when it's accompanied of a rhynoplasty.

Frequents Questions

¿Am I candidate to a mentoplasty?
It frequently happens that people can perceive that there's something inside their face that they want to modify they don't know exactly what or how. Many patients go to consultation with the facial plastic surgeon because they want to tune their nose, or to straighten it, or maybe practice a surgery of lids. But it is only when they can observe themselves in the photographic study by computer, when they understand that, just increasing a little the chin, they can create definitively positive changes in their faces.

A mandible termination not very marked weakens the appearance and personality of the individual. A chin of the appropriate size to the facial structure creates the necessary balance to offer an aspect of more character, healthiness and naturalness.

The mentoplasty can improve your image significantly. Nevertheless, it is important that you have realistic expectations for the results and speak frank and openly with your surgeon about what you hope to obtain. Dr. Espinosa accustoms to carry out a careful visual and photographic exam by computer to analyze your bony structure and the form that will be fulfilled the modifications. Additionally, he will order some laboratory exams to study your clinical history and to check your good physical state before the surgery.

¿How is carried out this surgery and what type of
anesthesia is used?
The surgeon accomplish an intraoral incision (inside the mouth), for which introduces the implant of silicone that get adjusted to the contour of the jaw. The incision is closed with a minimal suture, that is reabsorbed by itself after some days. It is also possible to do the incision under the chin with a very small wound that is camouflaged under the jaw.

¿What type of anesthesia is used?
This procedure is carried out in an ambulatory way and generally, under local anesthesia when it is an unique intervention. When is enclosed with other procedures, it is possible to opt by general anesthesia.

After a careful evaluation and diagnostic, Dr. Espinosa will establish the type of procedures that is needed and if the anesthesia will be general or local. In this type of surgical intervention are used the last methods of anesthesia as the intravenous sedation that allows the patient to be awake during the surgery, without any pain and absolutely calm. Nevertheless, some patients opt to be operated under general anesthesia. The anesthetic technique that is prescribed will be under professional supervision of the anesthesiologist who will monitor during the whole time that the procedure lasts. Both types of anesthesia are equally safe and in the two cases nothing is perceived during the intervention, the patient wakes up as soon as finished the operation, feeling well and without pain.

One of the causing reasons of more anguish can be the topic of the anesthesia. The protocols of our clinic allow us to offer the biggest security. During your initial consultation, Dr. Jorge Alberto Espinosa Reyes requests a series of laboratory exams to evaluate your physical state, he fulfill a complete clinical history and analyzes the patient's antecedents to help to prevent any possible complication.  

¿How long will I be in surgery room?

This is an intervention that habitually it can last between 30 minutes and one and a half hour when it is an unique procedure. If additionally they are being carried out another type of operations, the time in surgery room can vary.

¿What can I expect after the surgery?

Once finished the intervention you will wake up calm and without pain. It is possible that after some hours you have some nuisances that can be controlled with the formulated medications. You will be able to feel something of inflammation in the area of the chin and you will feel your face a little swelled which is totally normal. It is important that you plan with time the day of your surgery and have to your side a person of your whole trust that helps you to get back home and take care of you at least your first post - surgery day. It is recommended to be in bed with the head lifted with the purpose of diminishing the inflammation.

Dr. Espinosa accustoms to prescribe a mouthwash to help with cleanliness and to prevent any infection. If the suture has been intraoral it will be reabsorbed by itself. If it is a suture under the chin, the surgeon will revise the points after 24 hours and moves them away after two weeks.

Remember that it is being expected an inflammatory process that could last one or two weeks, which will depend exclusively on the own process of recovery of your body. It is possible also that you have a sensation of tightness or decrease of sensibility for the same swelling. In all the cases, and for your tranquility, don't doubt to contact Dr. Espinosa who will be attentive to all your recovery process.

¿How much time the recovery takes?
You will be able to return to your daily routine after two days. Nevertheless, it could happen that although you feel well, still persist something of inflammation. From the first moment you will notice an evident change in your face. It is possible that several weeks pass until the swelling allows checking the real changes. However, you will notice important changes that will fill you with satisfaction day by day. The final results are sometimes perceived only after some months, time that requires the body to reach their complete healing.

Dr. Espinosa recommends:

Before Surgery:

1. Not to consume medications that contains salicylic acid (Aspirin) and derivates.

2. Not to have smoked at least one month before the surgery.

3. To inform from possible allergies to medications

4.To maintain realistic expectations with regard to the results of the surgery

After Surgery:

1. Check on exit that the formula, disability order and date of medical control order has been delivered

2. Soft feeding in the first days, because you could have son annoyances when you open your mouth or move your lips.

3. It will be placed a bandage around the chin that you should maintain dry until it will be retired.

4. It is advisable to place a surgical glove full of ice wrapped in a towel on the chin  and to sleep a little sat down during the first 48 hours.

5. You should maintain resting at home during the first 2 to 5 days.

6. Although the pain is usually minimal, inside the formulated medications an analgesic and an antibiotic are included. Take it according to the indications scored in the formula.

7. The oral hygiene should be fulfilled with dental silk and brush from the first day. Don't forget to carry out mouthwashes after each food starting from the third day with a mixture half of clorhexidina mouthwashes and half of normal saline solution.

8. It can be felt the sensation of tension and drowsiness in the inferior lip that will pass when swelling pass too. This happens for the proximity of the area of surgery to the nerves of sensibility of this region.

9. In some cases there will be suture points that will be retired 5 to 7 days after the surgery.

10. To avoid any blow in the face, don’t carry small children or pets after the surgery.

11. To facilitate the resolution of the inflammation you shouldn't be exposed to sun directly during the first month.

12. Don’t exercise or practice sports at least for three weeks after surgery.

13. In general terms you will be able to return to your normal activity in a lapse from 3 to 5 days, if it is not exposed to drastic changes of environmental temperature, severe physical efforts or high risk of traumas or blows in the face.

14. You will present inflammation in the jaw and chin that it will improve in few days. However the definitive appearance will be only established after some months of the procedure.

15. The previous ones are general indications; don't doubt to call us if you need some explanation. Remember that the success of the surgery depends in large part of the post surgery cares.