Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt a little unhappy with the shape of your chin? Maybe it feels like it's too far forward, or too far back, or maybe it feels a little too long. You're not the only one who feels this way, many others do. So today we're going to talk about a special surgery that can improve the balance and beauty of your face, called chin reshaping.
What exactly is Sliding Genioplasty?
Simply put, Sliding Genioplasty is a surgery that involves cutting a section of your own chin bone, moving it, and reshaping the chin. Another name for this is Osseous Genioplasty .
Imagine that your chin is too far back (recessed chin). Or it is too far forward (protruding chin). Sometimes the length of the chin can be increased or decreased. In such cases, the surgeon carefully cuts a piece of your own chin bone, moves it in the desired direction (forward, backward or to the side) and reattaches it. This ensures that the chin fits well with the rest of your face, giving your face a beautiful, balanced look.
Sliding Genioplasty and Chin Implant - What is the difference between the two?
Many people confuse these two surgeries. Although both are procedures that improve the appearance of the chin (Genioplasty), there is a big difference in how they are performed. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Type of surgery | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Sliding Genioplasty | This uses your own chin bone. A section of the bone is cut, moved forward, backward, or to the side, and reattached to correct the shape and position of the chin. |
| Chin Implant | This involves implanting a piece of flexible, externally prepared silicone over the chin bone. This is mainly done to enlarge a small chin and give a clear look to the jawline. |
Who is undergoing this surgery? For what reasons?
Many people undergo this surgery to improve their facial appearance, that is, for cosmetic reasons. However, in some cases, this surgery is also necessary for medical reasons. For example, it may be necessary to realign the chin and jaw due to a facial fracture or a congenital condition.
Although this may seem like a primarily cosmetic surgery, it is also an important treatment method used to reconstruct the chin due to medical reasons such as accidents or birth defects.
Common reasons for performing Sliding Genioplasty
| Condition | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Chin asymmetry | The chin is pulled to one side, not in the center of the face. |
| Chin length abnormalities | The chin is too long or too short. |
| Macrogenia | Chin enlargement. |
| Microgenia | Small chin. |
| Prognathia | Excessively protruding chin. |
| Retrogenia | The chin is too far back/inward. |
Who is best suited for this surgery?
- A person who does not have any disease in the jaw.
- A non-smoker .
- A healthy person whose bone growth is complete (usually in late adolescence).
- Someone who has realistic expectations about the results of the surgery.
How do you prepare before surgery?
If you decide to have this surgery, your doctor will give you the necessary instructions. These may include:
- You will be asked to completely stop smoking a few weeks before the surgery.
- An X-ray or other imaging scan of your chin and jaw will be performed to plan the surgery.
- You will be given a physical examination or some blood tests to make sure you are healthy.
- You will be advised to stop taking blood thinners like aspirin, painkillers, and some herbal supplements.
- To reduce the risk of infection, antibiotics will be given before surgery.
What happens during the surgery?
This surgery is performed under anesthesia. Most often, it is general anesthesia. This means that you are asleep and not aware of anything.
The surgeon will pull down your lower lip and make a horizontal incision along the inside of your mouth, along your jaw. Because the incision is inside your mouth, there is no visible scar. Then, using a special surgical saw, a section of the chin bone is cut away. This procedure is called an Osteotomy in medical terms.
Next, depending on your needs, the cut bone is moved forward, backward, or to the side and reattached using tiny titanium plates and screws. If you want to shorten your chin, a piece of bone is removed. If you want to lengthen your chin, a small space is left between the two pieces of bone and it is fixed. Over time, the gap fills with new bone.
Finally, the incision inside the mouth is closed with dissolvable stitches. A special bandage is applied over the incision, and sometimes a support bandage may be placed outside the mouth, under the chin.
What can you expect during recovery?
The recovery period may take several weeks.
- Diet: You will be on a soft-food diet, such as liquids or soups, for a few days after surgery. Avoid hard, crunchy foods, as they can damage the stitches.
- Keeping your mouth clean: You can keep your incision clean by rinsing your mouth with salt water before and after meals. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to do this.
- Pain and swelling: The pain is usually not severe. Painkillers and cold compresses prescribed by your doctor can help reduce discomfort. To reduce swelling, sleep with your head elevated above your heart.
- Activities: After a week or ten days, most people are able to resume their normal activities (exercise, work).
If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately!
If you develop any of the following symptoms after surgery, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital where you received treatment. In severe cases, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing , go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
| Warning signs to look out for | |
|---|---|
| Fever, chills, or other flu-like symptoms. | Abnormal changes in heart rate. |
| Pus or other fluid draining from the incision (a sign of infection). | Severe swelling or pain that persists for several weeks. |
| Chest pain. | Difficulty breathing (Dyspnea). |
Take-Home Message
- Sliding Genioplasty is a surgery that uses your own chin bone to correct the shape and position of your chin.
- This is different from chin implant surgery.
- Since the incision is made inside the mouth, no scars are visible from the outside.
- This is done for cosmetic reasons, as well as due to accidents or birth defects.
- It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly during your recovery, especially regarding diet and oral hygiene.
- If any unusual symptoms occur, inform your doctor immediately.
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