Genioplasty (chin surgery)
Recovery time: 2-3 weeks
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About this procedure
Bringing the size, shape and position of the chin into balance with the overall proportions of the face. Performed by advancing or setting back the bone, or with a chin implant; often planned together with rhinoplasty as profiloplasty.
Who is it for?
Suitable
- People whose chin appears recessed in profile view (weak chin projection), which makes the nose look larger than it actually is
- Patients unhappy with a prominent or long chin tip who want chin reduction or a setback
- People with asymmetry of the chin tip or a congenital shape irregularity
- Candidates who are planning or have already had rhinoplasty and want to complete the nose-chin balance as part of profiloplasty
- People whose double chin appears more prominent due to a weak jawline and who want to define the chin-neck transition
- Patients whose facial bones have completed their growth (typically 18+), whose general health is suitable for surgery, and who have realistic expectations of the outcome
May not be suitable
- People whose complaint mainly stems from a bite (occlusion) disorder and the overall position of the jawbone — in this case, an orthodontic and orthognathic surgical assessment is needed first
- Patients with an active dental, gum, or oral cavity infection (since the incision is inside the mouth, treatment is required first)
- People with a bleeding disorder or uncontrolled chronic illnesses (unregulated diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease)
- Candidates with suspected body dysmorphic disorder or unrealistic expectations from a small change
- People under 18 whose facial bone structure has not yet fully developed
- Women during pregnancy — the operation is postponed until after childbirth
- People who cannot stop smoking during the perioperative period — smoking can negatively affect bone and soft tissue healing, and this risk is explained separately during the consultation
Suitability is confirmed only at a doctor's examination. Results are individual.
The process step by step
- 1
Initial consultation and facial profile analysis(30-45 minutes)
The plastic surgeon listens to the patient's complaints and expectations, and evaluates chin projection, nose-chin-neck balance, and the bite. It is determined whether the problem lies in the chin tip or in the overall position of the jawbone, and profiloplasty (combined correction of the nose and chin) is discussed if needed.
- 2
Imaging and tests(1 day)
A panoramic X-ray or CT scan is used to clarify the structure of the jawbone and the position of the tooth roots and the chin nerve (mental nerve). Blood tests and a general health assessment for anesthesia are carried out.
- 3
Surgical planning(1 session)
A choice is made between bone genioplasty (advancement, setback, or vertical adjustment) and a chin implant, and the amount of movement is planned in millimeters. The decision to combine with rhinoplasty or double-chin liposuction in the same session is also finalized at this stage.
- 4
Anesthesia(15-20 minutes)
In bone genioplasty, general anesthesia is administered by the anesthesiologist. In some implant-only cases, the procedure can also be performed under local anesthesia with sedation — the choice depends on the scope of the surgery and the patient's condition.
- 5
Surgery(45 minutes - 2 hours)
The incision is usually made inside the mouth (on the inner side of the lower lip), so no externally visible scar remains. In the bone variant, the chin tip is cut, moved into the planned position, and fixed with titanium mini-plates/screws; in the implant variant, an appropriately sized chin implant is placed over the bone. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures and a chin dressing is applied.
- 6
Initial recovery and observation(24 hours)
The patient is kept under observation and in most cases discharged home the same or the next day. A cold compress, a liquid/soft food regimen, and an antiseptic mouth rinse for oral hygiene are prescribed.
Recovery process
Swelling, a feeling of tension, and tightness in the chin and lower lip area are most pronounced during this period. Temporary numbness in the lower lip is common. A chin dressing/bandage is worn, and nutrition consists of liquid and soft foods.
Restriction: Avoiding hard foods, sleeping with the head elevated, using an antiseptic mouth rinse after every meal, and avoiding pressure on the chin are recommended.
Swelling gradually subsides, and bruising may spread along the jawline and into the neck before it begins to fade. Speaking and chewing become progressively easier, and the intraoral sutures begin to dissolve.
Restriction: Hard and grainy foods, heavy physical activity, and touching or putting pressure on the chin area are not recommended during this period.
Most of the visible swelling resolves, and most patients return to work and social life. A gradual transition from soft foods to a normal diet is made.
Restriction: Avoiding contact sports and activities with a risk of impact to the chin, and staying away from smoking, are recommended.
Residual swelling subsides and the chin contour becomes more defined. Numbness in the lower lip and chin tip gradually recovers, with sensation returning step by step.
Restriction: Few serious restrictions; for heavy contact sports, the waiting period agreed with the doctor is observed.
In bone genioplasty, the osteotomy line heals fully; in the implant variant, the tissues fully stabilize, and the final shape becomes clearly visible during this period.
Restriction: No special restrictions; daily life is fully normal.
Risks and transparency
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Transparency is the basis of trust for us.
- Swelling and bruising — seen in nearly every patient, may spread to the jawline and neck area, and gradually resolves
- Temporary numbness or altered sensation in the lower lip and chin tip — common due to proximity to the mental nerve, usually resolving within weeks to months; in rare cases it may last longer
- Risk of infection — since the incision is inside the mouth, strict oral hygiene is required; an implant infection may rarely require temporary removal of the implant
- Possibility of chin implant displacement, palpable implant edges, or a visible implant contour
- Possibility of long-term bone resorption (localized bone loss) under the implant
- Possibility of asymmetry or deviation from the expected aesthetic result, with a potential need for revision (repeat correction)
- In bone genioplasty, the fixation materials (titanium plate/screws) may rarely be felt and, if they cause discomfort, may need to be removed later
- Damage to tooth roots — very rare; preoperative imaging-based planning reduces this possibility
- Bleeding/hematoma and the standard risks associated with general anesthesia (possibilities present in any surgical operation)
What does the price depend on?
- Choice between bone (sliding) genioplasty and a chin implant
- Type and size of the material in the implant variant, fixation materials in the bone variant
- Complexity of the correction — advancement, setback, vertical change, or asymmetry correction
- Combination with rhinoplasty (profiloplasty) or double-chin liposuction in the same session
- Type and duration of anesthesia
- Whether the surgery is primary or revision
- Clinic equipment and observation conditions, and the surgeon's experience
Frequently asked questions
How much does genioplasty cost, and what does the price depend on?
The price varies depending on the choice between bone genioplasty and a chin implant, the complexity of the correction, the type of anesthesia, combination with rhinoplasty, and the clinic. An exact price can only be given after an in-person consultation and examination — you can book a free consultation for this.
Is chin surgery painful?
Since the operation is performed under general anesthesia, no pain is felt during the procedure. In the following days there may be tension, tightness, and mild-to-moderate pain in the chin area — this is managed with prescribed pain medication. Discomfort when speaking and chewing is normal during the first week.
From what age can genioplasty be performed?
It is recommended after facial bone growth is complete — typically after age 18. In candidates who apply at an earlier age, bone development and the bite are assessed separately, and the decision is based on an individual examination.
Are there any scars after chin surgery?
Since the incision is made inside the mouth (on the inner side of the lower lip) in most cases, no externally visible scar remains. In some chin implant cases, a small incision in the natural crease under the chin may be used — this scar stays in a hidden spot and fades over time.
When can I return to work after the operation?
Returning to office-type work that does not require physical effort is usually possible within 7-10 days. Most of the visible swelling resolves within two to three weeks; for physically demanding work, waiting a few extra weeks is recommended.
How long does the result of genioplasty last — is it permanent?
In bone genioplasty, since the jawbone heals in its new position, the result is considered permanent. A chin implant is also regarded as a long-term solution, although in rare cases displacement or bone resorption may be observed. The natural aging process continues in both cases.
What is the difference between a chin implant and bone genioplasty?
A chin implant adds volume by placing a preformed material in front of the bone — it is technically simpler and can be removed if needed, but it only adds volume in the forward direction. In sliding (bone) genioplasty, the chin tip is cut and moved forward, backward, or vertically, and asymmetry can also be corrected. The choice depends on the chin anatomy and the planned change.
Is it possible to reduce a prominent chin (setback)?
Yes, chin reduction is possible with bone genioplasty — the chin tip is moved backward or the bone volume is reduced. In this case, it must first be confirmed that the problem lies only in the chin tip and does not stem from a bite disorder; if a bite problem exists, an orthognathic surgery assessment may be needed.
Is chin augmentation also possible with filler, and how does it differ from surgery?
Yes, for a small volume deficiency, filler can be a non-surgical, temporary alternative, and for some patients it serves as a trial before deciding on surgery. Surgical genioplasty, however, provides a structural change with a permanent result. Which path is suitable is determined during the consultation based on the chin anatomy and the amount of change desired.
Can genioplasty be performed together with rhinoplasty?
Yes, this combination is called profiloplasty and is quite widely performed. Since the nose and chin visually balance each other in profile, chin correction in patients with a weak chin also helps the nose look more proportionate. Both procedures can often be carried out in the same anesthesia session.
Does genioplasty correct a double chin?
Weak chin projection shortens the chin-neck line and makes a double chin more prominent — in such cases, genioplasty can define this transition and reduce the double-chin appearance. If the main problem is submental fat tissue, liposuction as part of double-chin aesthetics may be needed; the two procedures are often combined in the same session.
Is numbness in the chin and lip normal after the operation?
Yes, temporary numbness in the lower lip and chin tip is the most common side effect of this operation — the reason is the proximity of the surgical area to the mental nerve. Sensation usually recovers gradually within weeks to months; in rare cases it may take longer, and this possibility is openly explained during the consultation.
When do eating and speaking return to normal after the operation?
Liquid and soft foods are recommended for the first days, and toward the end of the first week speaking and chewing become noticeably easier. A full transition to normal eating is usually possible within 2-3 weeks. Since the incision is inside the mouth, oral hygiene with an antiseptic mouth rinse is important during this period.