Chin Augmentation in Delafield
Chin projection brought into balance with the nose and jaw
Chin augmentation enhances the projection and contour of the chin through surgery to improve facial balance and harmony. It can be performed with an alloplastic implant, most commonly solid silicone, or by sliding genioplasty, which repositions the chin bone itself. The operation is frequently combined with rhinoplasty to bring the face into proportion.
At a Glance
- Chin augmentation is frequently combined with rhinoplasty, with up to 25% of cosmetic rhinoplasty cases including concurrent chin enhancement[5]
- Implant-based chin augmentation reports overall patient satisfaction rates of approximately 97.8%[5]
- Solid silicone (Silastic) is the most commonly used implant material due to its biocompatibility and ease of removal if needed[5]
- Chin augmentation can be performed through an intraoral incision (inside the mouth) or a submental incision (under the chin), each with distinct advantages[4]
Before & after
Real faces, real results.
Before & after
Chin Augmentation
Individual results vary. Photos shown with patient consent.
Overview
Chin augmentation, also called mentoplasty or genioplasty, reshapes the chin to correct underprojection, or microgenia, improve facial proportions, or address soft tissue volume loss. It is an established facial plastic surgery procedure and is often performed with rhinoplasty to balance the relationship between the nose and chin.
There are two primary approaches. Implant-based augmentation places an alloplastic material, most commonly solid silicone (Silastic), directly onto the chin bone through a small incision. Sliding genioplasty uses a controlled osteotomy of the mandibular symphysis. The chin segment can then be moved forward, backward, or vertically and fixed with plates and screws.
The choice follows the deficiency. An implant is typically used when the chin needs horizontal projection only. Sliding genioplasty can change vertical height, correct transverse asymmetry, and address combined deficiencies that an implant alone cannot correct.
The pairing with rhinoplasty matters more at Consona than it would where only one of the two procedures is offered. Dr. Boehm names rhinoplasty second among his procedural focuses, and case galleries are available for both procedures. A nose reads as larger against a chin that sits back. Having one surgeon who performs both assess the full profile makes this a different conversation from considering the chin in isolation.
What to expect
- Consultation including facial analysis, photography, and discussion of aesthetic goals and chin projection needs
- Preoperative assessment of dental occlusion, chin anatomy, and determination of implant versus genioplasty approach
- Administration of local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on procedure complexity
- Placement of incision either under the chin (submental approach) or inside the lower lip (intraoral approach)
- For implant augmentation, creation of a precise pocket on the anterior mandible sized to the selected implant
- Selection, sizing, and placement of the chin implant onto the bone, with optional screw fixation
- For sliding genioplasty, horizontal osteotomy below tooth roots followed by repositioning and plate fixation of the chin segment
- Assessment of symmetry and projection with the patient positioned upright when possible
- Closure of incisions with absorbable sutures (intraoral) or fine sutures (submental)
- Application of external chin dressing or compression bandage to minimize swelling
How a chin augmentation works
- For implant-based augmentation, a pocket is created directly on the anterior surface of the mandible through either a submental incision under the chin or an intraoral incision inside the lower lip. The submental approach uses a 2 cm midline incision posterior to the natural chin crease. The intraoral approach uses a 2–3 cm gingivolabial incision.
- A solid silicone, porous polyethylene (Medpor), or other alloplastic implant is selected and shaped to match the planned augmentation. It is positioned on the bone and may be secured with screws or sutures to prevent migration.
- Sliding genioplasty is performed through an intraoral approach. A horizontal osteotomy, or controlled bone cut, is made below the tooth roots. The freed chin segment is advanced, set back, or adjusted vertically as needed, then fixed in its new position with titanium plates and screws.
- Cartilage or bone grafts may be used with either technique when more volume or structural support is needed. Some patients may also benefit from combining chin augmentation with neck liposuction for greater jawline definition.
When it's recommended
- Horizontal chin deficiency (microgenia or retrogenia)
- Facial imbalance between the nose and chin profile
- Pre-jowl volume loss contributing to an aged lower face appearance
- Soft tissue chin deficiency from muscular atrophy
- Asymmetry of the chin requiring correction
- Weak or receding chin affecting facial proportions
- Chin deficiency identified during rhinoplasty planning
Is a chin augmentation right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Recovery & aftercare
- An external compression dressing or bandage is typically worn for several days after surgery
- Initial swelling and bruising generally subside within 1 to 2 weeks
- Patients with intraoral incisions may be placed on a liquid or soft diet for several days
- Most patients return to desk work and normal daily activities within approximately one week
- Sutures are typically removed or dissolve within 7 to 10 days
- Strenuous physical activity and contact sports should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks
- Numbness of the lower lip may persist for several weeks but typically resolves
- Final results become apparent as swelling resolves over several weeks to a few months
Alternatives
- Nonsurgical chin augmentation using injectable dermal fillers (temporary, typically lasting 12 to 18 months)
- Sliding genioplasty (for patients requiring vertical or transverse correction beyond implant capability)
- Fat grafting to the chin (using the patient's own tissue for moderate volume enhancement)
- Orthodontic or orthognathic surgery (for chin deficiency related to dental malocclusion)
Related treatments
How much does a chin augmentation cost?
A chin augmentation at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $6,900. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Chin augmentation is surgery that increases the size and projection of the chin to improve facial balance and proportion. It is most commonly performed with a solid silicone implant placed on the chin bone. Sliding genioplasty, which repositions the chin bone itself, may be used for more complex corrections. Chin augmentation is also frequently combined with rhinoplasty.
- Chin augmentation is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients have mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and pressure around the chin afterward. This is typically manageable with prescribed pain medication and resolves within the first few days.
- Chin augmentation is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified, board-certified surgeon. Infection rates are reported at less than 1%, and overall patient satisfaction is high. It still carries surgical risks, which are discussed during consultation and listed in the risks section of this page.
- Most patients return to work and normal daily activities within about one week. Swelling and bruising typically subside within 1 to 2 weeks. Temporary numbness of the lower lip may persist for several weeks but usually resolves. The final result becomes apparent over several weeks to a few months as the remaining swelling subsides.
- A chin implant uses a synthetic material, most commonly solid silicone, placed on the chin bone to add projection. Sliding genioplasty cuts and repositions the chin bone itself. Implants are typically used to increase horizontal projection, while genioplasty can also change vertical height and correct more complex asymmetries. The choice depends on the anatomy of the deficiency and the intended change.
- Chin augmentation may not be appropriate for someone with dental malocclusion that requires orthodontic correction, a history of implant rejection, an active infection at the surgical site, or unrealistic expectations. A thorough evaluation during consultation helps determine which approach, if any, is suitable.
- Yes. The nose and chin are read against each other rather than separately. A chin that sits back makes the nose look bigger in profile, and reducing the nose alone can leave the balance still wrong. Dr. Boehm performs both procedures, and case galleries for each are available at Consona. Bringing both questions to one consultation costs nothing and occasionally changes the plan outright. Sometimes the chin turns out to be the feature worth adjusting.
- It changes how both read, though it treats neither directly. Adding projection at the chin lengthens the line from the chin to the neck. This is why a weak chin and a full-looking neck often appear together, and why correcting the chin can improve the appearance of the neck. When the fullness is genuinely skin or fat rather than proportion, a neck lift or submental liposuction is the actual answer. Dr. Boehm offers all three procedures, so the assessment can identify what the profile needs.
- The figure on this page is the ballpark for chin augmentation performed on its own. The variable that moves it most is which operation the chin needs. An alloplastic implant and a sliding genioplasty are different procedures with different theatre times, and the choice follows from whether the deficiency is horizontal alone or also vertical. Combining chin augmentation with rhinoplasty or a neck procedure is quoted as the sum of separate procedures rather than a bundled rate.
Chin Augmentation risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Suboptimal vertical chin height that cannot be corrected with implants alone (requires genioplasty)
- Retrognathia with dental malocclusion requiring orthodontic or orthognathic correction
- Prior history of implant rejection or significant foreign body reaction
- Active infection at the planned surgical site
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use without medical clearance
- Body dysmorphic disorder or unrealistic expectations regarding outcomes
- Significant medical conditions that increase surgical risk (uncontrolled diabetes, severe cardiopulmonary disease)
- Transverse chin asymmetry that exceeds the corrective capability of implant placement alone
Possible risks
- Swelling and bruising around the chin and lower face (expected, typically resolves within 1 to 2 weeks)
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation of the lower lip and chin (paresthesia, usually transient)
- Implant migration or malposition (reported at approximately 5% for implant-based procedures)
- Bone resorption beneath the implant over time (reported at approximately 8.3% in some studies)
- Infection at the surgical site (reported at less than 1% incidence)
- Implant extrusion through the incision (rare, reported at approximately 0.4%)
- Asymmetry or contour irregularity requiring revision
- Capsular contracture (thickened scar tissue forming around the implant)
- Hematoma or seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Damage to the mental nerve resulting in prolonged numbness
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result requiring revisional surgery
- Anesthesia-related risks
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 5 sources, including peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12