Mentoplasty is a term that refers to plastic surgery procedures for the chin. It comes from the Latin word mentum , which means chin, and the Greek verb plassein , which means "to form" or "to shape." Mentoplasty is also known as genioplasty or chinplasty.
Mentoplasty may be done for several reasons:
Insurance coverage for mentoplasty depends on its purpose. Chin reshaping that is done to improve personal appearance is not usually covered by insurance. Mentoplasty that is performed as a reconstructive procedure after trauma, genetic deformity, or orthognathic surgery may be covered by insurance.
The cost of mentoplasty varies considerably according to the complexity of the procedure. The average surgeon's fee for a chin implant was $1,612 in 2002. The average fee for a sliding genioplasty, however, was $4,000–$6,000.
In spite of the fact that chin deformities are the most common facial abnormality, mentoplasty is not one of the more frequently performed procedures in plastic surgery. In 2002, there were 18,352 mentoplasties performed in the United States, compared to 117,831 face lifts and 282,876 liposuctions. Most mentoplasties are done in combination with rhinoplasties.
Mentoplasty is primarily performed in adult patients; it is not usually done in children until all permanent teeth have come in and the jaw is close to its adult size. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 7% of patients who had mentoplasties in the United States in 2002 were 18 or younger; 35% were between the ages of 19 and 34; 40% were between the ages of 35 and 50, while another 15% were between 51 and 64. Only 3% were over 65.
With respect to sex, women account for 69% of mentoplasty patients; only 31% are men.
Mentoplasties fall into two large categories: procedures that augment (increase) small or receding chins; and those that reduce large or protruding chins. Chin augmentation is done more frequently than chin reduction, reflecting the fact that microgenia (small chin) is the most common abnormality of the chin.
Chin augmentation can be performed by inserting an implant under the skin of the chin or by performing a sliding genioplasty. Insertion of an implant takes 30–60 minutes, while a sliding genioplasty takes slightly longer, 45–90 minutes. If the mentoplasty is done together with orthognathic surgery, the operation may take as long as three hours.
Chin implants are used in patients with mild or moderate microgenia. At one time they were made of cartilage taken from donors or from other sites on the patient's body, but as of 2003 alloplastic implants (made from inert foreign materials) are used more often because they reduce the risk of infection. To insert the implant, the surgeon can choose to make the incision under the chin (submental) or inside the mouth (intraoral). In either case, the surgeon cuts through several layers of tissue, taking care to avoid damaging the major nerve in the chin. The surgeon makes a pocket in the connective tissue inside the chin and washes it out with an antiseptic solution. The sterile implant is then inserted in the pocket and positioned properly. The incision is closed and the wound covered with Steri-Strips.
A sliding genioplasty may be performed if the patient's chin is too small for augmentation with an implant, or if the deformity is more complex. In this procedure, the surgeon cuts through the jawbone with an oscillating saw and removes part of the bone. He or she then moves the bone segment forward, holding it in place with metal plates and screws. After the bone segment has been fixed in place, the incision is closed and the patient's head is wrapped with a pressure dressing.
Reduction of an overly large or protruding chin may be done either by direct reduction or a sliding genioplasty. In a direct reduction, the surgeon makes either a submental or an intraoral incision and removes excess bone from the chin with a burr. A sliding genioplasty reduction is similar to a genioplasty to augment the chin, except that the bone segment is moved backward rather than forward.
Diagnostic evaluation consists of a facial analysis as well as a complete dental and medical history. The chin is one of the three most significant parts of the face from an aesthetic standpoint, the others being the forehead and the nose. Many patients who are concerned about the size of their nose, for example, can be helped by having a too-small chin augmented as well as having the nose reshaped. In the facial analysis, the face is divided into thirds, with the mouth and chin in the lowest third. The surgeon compares the proportions of the features in each third in order to determine the most suitable procedure for restoring balance. The patient will be photographed from several angles to document the condition of the chin before surgery.
The dental history and x ray studies of the head and jaw are necessary in order to determine whether the facial disproportion can be corrected by an implant or simple reduction, or whether orthognathic surgery is required. Patients who have severe malocclusion (irregular contact between the teeth in the upper and lower jaws) or deformities of the facial bones are usually referred to a maxillofacial specialist for reconstructive surgery.
Lastly, the surgeon will evaluate the patient for any signs of psychological instability, including unrealistic expectations of the results of surgery.
Patients should stop smoking and discontinue all medications containing aspirin or NSAIDs for two weeks prior to mentoplasty. If the surgeon is planning to make a submental incision, the patient should use an antibacterial facial cleanser for two days before surgery. Patients scheduled for an intraoral approach should rinse the mouth with mouthwash three times a day for two days before surgery. They should not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to the procedure.
Patients should have someone drive them home after the procedure. They are given medication for discomfort and a one-week course of antibiotic medication to reduce the risk of infection. Most patients can return to work in seven to 10 days.
Other aspects of aftercare include the following:
In addition to infection, bleeding, and an allergic reaction to the anesthetic, the risks of insertion of a chin implant include:
Specific risks associated with sliding genioplasties include:
Normal results of either augmentation or reduction mentoplasty include correction of facial asymmetry and disproportion. The functioning of the jaw is also often improved. Patients who have had a mentoplasty are usually very satisfied with the results.
The rate of complications with chin implants as well as sliding genioplasties is about 5%.
In some cases, fat may be injected into the area below the chin to plump up the skin and minimize the apparent size of the chin. This technique, however, is limited to minor disproportions of chin size. In addition, fat injections must be repeated periodically as the fat is gradually absorbed by the body.
Facial liposuction can be used together with or instead of mentoplasty to improve the patient's profile. In particular, removal of fatty tissue below the chin can make a receding chin look larger or more prominent.
See also Face lift ; Rhinoplasty .
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Rebecca Frey, Ph.D.
Mentoplasties may be performed by plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, or maxillofacial surgeons. Fat injections and facial liposuction are usually performed by plastic surgeons.
Chin implant insertions or direct reductions are usually performed as outpatient procedures in the surgeon's office or an ambulatory surgery center. The patient may be given either general or local anesthesia. Sliding genioplasties can be done as outpatient procedures; however, they are usually performed in hospitals under general anesthesia, particularly if the patient is having orthognathic surgery at the same time.