Genioplasty: Does It Improve Jawlines? What are the Risks Associated with It?

Genioplasty is a popular treatment that deals with facial contours which become unsatisfactory either because of injury, congenital disabilities, or poor definition. One everyday use of this treatment is as a chin implant. This way, your doctor can insert the treatment through small incisions done on the insides of the lower lip or under the chin.

These implants are pliable and can either be silicone or mesh-like. They promise to provide a more permanent symmetry, shape, definition, and contour, especially the lower jaw. Today, we will know if this procedure does improve jawlines and the important-to-know risks associated with undergoing this treatment. Let’s go.

What is Genioplasty?

Genioplasty is a facial type of surgery done on the chin. This type of surgery can be done by plastic surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons, or those who work specifically on the mouth and jaw.

Being among the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries, people choose to have genioplasty for looks or aesthetic purposes rather than a reconstructive approach that resolves a medical problem. For this reason alone, this procedure is often not covered by insurance.

Conducting this procedure can be done in several ways:

• advancement, or movement of the chin forward
• pushback, or movement the chin backward
• side-to-side, best for those with asymmetrical chins
• vertical changes like making the chin longer or shorter

Genioplasty Types

There are two general types of genioplasty available today: sliding genioplasty and chin implants.

Sliding genioplasty

When doing a sliding genioplasty, surgeons use a saw in cutting the chin bone away from the rest of the jaw while moving it to correct a specific chin deficiency. This type is also called an osseous genioplasty.

This genioplasty type is best recommended for those with severe retrogenia or people having chins too far back in line with the rest of their face. This type can also help correct the chin that is either pushed too far forward or too long.

Chin implants

On the other hand, chin implants are typically used in reshaping, enlarging, or pushing forward the chin’s appearance. Practitioners can accomplish this feat either through surgery or injection.

There are two (2) sub-types of chin implants:

• Surgical chin augmentation: Is the implanting of plastic material into the chin and adhering it to the bone. The most common is the alloplastic implants or those made from synthetic materials.
• Nonsurgical chin augmentation: Is the type that uses needles in injecting fillers, like body fat, to enhance the chin’s appearance.

Instructions Before Undergoing Genioplasty Treatment

• Try to wear loose-fitting clothes – shirts that can easily fit over your head or be buttoned up the front, and a pair of comfortable pants.
• Avoid wearing jewelry, having makeup on, or applying lotions, oils, or perfumes the day of your scheduled surgery. The best thing to do is to bathe or shower the morning of your surgery thoroughly.
• Avoid taking aspirin or aspirin-based products for the next two (2) weeks before your surgery. Also, avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products for one (1) week before your surgery. If these are prescribed to you and are medically necessary, don’t hesitate to contact your genioplasty practitioner to have a medical clearance first.
• Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before your surgery, especially if you have IV sedation or general anesthesia. Call your genioplasty practitioner before skipping these doses if you are taking any maintenance medication for blood pressure, diabetes, heart, or whatnot.
• Doctors can do
• Ome lab work at the hospital the day of your surgery. Women under the childbearing age are required to undergo pregnancy testing. If seen positive, your practitioner will halt your surgery, and then your provider will issue a refund.
• Minors are required to be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
• Have someone who will ride you home.
• Help reduce complication incidences after your surgery. Keep your dressings and wounds always clean and dry. Reduce bleeding by NOT coughing, stooping, straining, or working. Surgery can be stressful and typically requires rest, relaxation, and good nourishment. If you are used to using tobacco products, please stop before your surgery and avoid resuming use 3-4 weeks after surgery. If others at home smoke, please kindly ask them to step outside. Second-hand smoking can be an inhibitor to the healing process as much as smoking yourself.

Instructions After Undergoing Genioplasty

• When you are prescribed to take narcotics, avoid driving while taking these narcotics for pain until you can be off of them for the next 24 hours. Take medications as needed while not exceeding directions on your prescription. If side effects like rash, vomiting, or nausea result and persist, discontinue and call your provider. Avoid adding Tylenol as part of your pain management if your prescribed narcotic already has some in it.
• If not contraindicated, you can take Tylenol and Ibuprofen in an alternating fashion, controlling most post-operative pain.
• Drink a lot of fluids after your surgery and advance your diet as it is tolerated.
• Avoid stooping, straining, or lifting more than ten (10) pounds for two (2) weeks.
• Use clean and moist gauzes in patting the surgical site.
• Even place frozen peas or corn into a plastic bag to intermittently provide an application of a cold compress for the first 24 hours.
• Avoid taking a bath or shower for 24 hours.
• Avoid submerging the surgical site for the next four (4) weeks.
• Be minded that sutures are usually removed seven (7) days after surgery.
• Swelling and bruising can take 2-4 weeks before they disappear. Some sites may exhibit numbness and itch for months. However, with time, these incisions will naturally fade. Protect your new scars for the next six (6) months.
• Call your provider immediately for incidents of purulent drainage, reddened skin around the surgical area, fever, sudden heightened pain, a sudden increase in bruising, or uncontrolled bleeding.

Does Genioplasty Improve Jawlines?

Genioplasty is usually performed in an operating room, removing stitches after seven (7) days. It is recommended to halt any form of activity for the next 3-4 weeks. Symptoms like pain, bruising, swelling can contribute to the skin looking shiny. Still, as your wounds heal, evident results will be noticeable, making your jawline become softer and more natural-looking.

What are the Risks Associated with Genioplasty Treatment?

Some risks and complications associated with genioplasty include:

• Infections
• Implant allergic reactions
• Implant extrusion
• Screws getting exposed
• Mouth or lip numbness caused by nerve damage

It is highly recommended to contact your provider once these risks become prominent and prolonged so that you can immediately take appropriate measures.

Outlook in Genioplasty Treatment

Genioplasty is a straightforward treatment from which most people who have undergone one are satisfied with the outcome. But it is worthy of noting that results, although proven to have general effects, are still subjective to every individual. Take advantage of genioplasty today so you can have that desired jawline you have always wanted. Want to know more about genioplasty? Our great friends from Cache Valley Facial Plastics are the best in the field and can help you further! Visit them now! https://cvfacialplastics.com/about-us/