In addition to procedures such as facelift, blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty, I also perform mentoplasty — the plastic surgery for chin augmentation with solid silicone implants. The aim is to improve the contour and natural profile of the face and neck, restoring harmony between facial structures. A small or recessed chin can unbalance the entire proportion of the face, accentuate the appearance of a large nose, and create the impression of excess skin in the submental region. In my technique, the silicone implant is positioned inside the mouth, through a minimally invasive access that leaves no visible external scars.
Through mentoplasty, I can reshape and resize the chin area to promote a more balanced and aesthetic profile. I use updated techniques that prioritise natural and harmonious results, respecting the individual proportions of each patient. If you would like to know more, contact Clínica Zamarian and book a consultation.
When is it indicated?
During the consultation, I assess various aspects of the face, including the patient's dentition and bite. If the occlusion is balanced — without retrognathism (receding jaw) or prognathism (protruding jaw) — and there is still a disproportionately small chin, mentoplasty is indicated. This condition is known as hypomentonism, and the treatment is performed with a solid silicone prosthesis. To classify the bite, I use Angle's classification, which is internationally recognised.
In cases where there is significant prognathism or retrognathism, I first request an orthognathic evaluation with a specialised dentist. Depending on the analysis, the professional may recommend corrective jaw surgery, conservative orthodontic treatment with braces, or simply clear the patient for mentoplasty. Each case requires an individualised and comprehensive assessment.
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Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr. explains about the chin augmentation with silicone implant in Londrina
Pre-operative
The consultation
During the consultation, I assess the dentition, the bite, the projection of the chin, and all relevant anatomical details to plan the surgery according to your facial profile. It is also at this moment that I choose the most suitable implant size. Generally, I use size two implants for women and size three for men, according to the Silimed table, but the size may vary according to the specific needs of each patient.
Examinations
I request the following pre-operative examinations in order to perform the chin augmentation with maximum safety:
Complete blood count;
PAT with INR + APTT;
Creatinine;
Urea;
Fasting blood glucose;
Total proteins and fractions
Urine I;
Electrocardiogram;
Surgical risk, which consists of evaluation with the cardiologist.
The anaesthesia
I perform the chin augmentation under general anaesthesia, which provides total comfort during the procedure. The surgery lasts about twenty-five minutes, and the patient wakes up shortly afterwards, without pain.
The surgery
I perform the chin augmentation through an incision in the oral cavity, between the gum and the lower lip. This way, there are no visible external scars at the end of the recovery. After the incision, I make a subperiosteal dissection close to the bone to create the exact space where the solid silicone implant will be positioned. I use Silimed implants, ranging in sizes from one to three, smooth, which I shape during the surgery to adapt them to each patient's jaw anatomy — this personalised adjustment is essential for a natural and symmetrical result. Then, I close the incision with absorbable stitches that do not need to be removed. An external dressing with micropore is then applied to prevent movement of the silicone in the first five to seven days. I advise all patients to maintain a liquid diet for five days and to sleep on their back for a month. The surgery lasts about twenty to thirty minutes, is performed under general anaesthesia in the surgical centre, and the patient can be discharged on the same day, unless the chin augmentation is associated with other plastic surgeries.
Scars
I perform the chin augmentation exclusively from inside the mouth, with an incision in the lower oral vestibule. This means there are no external scars at all. The stitches are absorbable and do not need to be removed, further simplifying recovery.
Post-operative
Immediately after the chin augmentation, it is necessary to maintain a liquid diet for five days to avoid food entering the incision and possible contamination. After this period, I remove the external dressing and the patient can resume normal eating. I recommend a month without physical exercise and sleeping on their back until the healing allows sleeping on their side and starting light walks. After two months, I release any physical effort — at this stage, the swelling has already reduced significantly, and this is when the patient returns for post-operative photos. There is no need for special care with the internal scar, and throughout my experience, I have never recorded any cases of complications arising from this surgery.
Longevity of the silicone chin implant
Initially, chin augmentation with solid silicone is a surgery designed to last a lifetime, as there is no need to replace the chin implant, since it is not gel silicone, like breast prostheses. Thus, the silicone only needs to be removed in the rare cases of bone erosion, which most of the time does not have major repercussions. Furthermore, when it becomes necessary to remove the silicone implant in this chin augmentation surgery, the capsule that forms around the silicone implant already provides greater volume to the area, often eliminating the need for reinsertion of another implant or performing a bone remodelling.
Do I use any method to fix the implant to the bone?
No. My technique does not require the use of screws or other fixation methods. This is possible because I create a snug space, crafted to the exact size of the implant, ensuring immediate stability. Additionally, the external dressing used in the first five to seven days immobilises the area, and when it is removed, the initial healing has already occurred sufficiently to eliminate any risk of migration. The absence of screws brings two important benefits: it makes the surgery more economical and significantly reduces the risk of complications, as extrusion (exposure of the screw) and infection around the screws are relatively common occurrences when this fixation is employed.
Are there other possibilities for chin augmentation, without silicone?
Yes. In reality, chin augmentation with silicone implant is only performed in cases of hypomentonism (small chin). However, for both cases of small chin and disproportionately large chin, the surgery can be performed without silicone, simply by cutting the chin bone and repositioning it.
I can, therefore, perform chin advancement surgery for hypomentonism, chin retrogression surgery for hypermentonism, and chin lateralisation surgery for cases of chin asymmetry, where one side is more projected than the other. In these cases, where there is bone sectioning and repositioning, fixation becomes necessary. I opt for fixation with steel wire, due to the lower complication rate. It is worth noting that these surgical options are much rarer than chin augmentation with solid silicone.
Is there another type of incision for chin augmentation?
Yes, there is an external incision, just below the chin. However, I do not use this access, as the intraoral incision offers equivalent results without leaving any visible scars.
Profileplasty: the plastic surgery of the facial profile
It is more common than one might think to associate rhinoplasty (nose surgery) and chin augmentation (chin surgery). The nose and chin maintain a direct relationship in the profile of the face and form an essential set for facial harmony. This combination is called profileplasty — the plastic surgery of the facial profile.
Frequently, the patient arrives at my office believing that their nose is too large, when in fact what detracts from the profile is a retracted chin that highlights the nose by contrast. Profileplasty corrects this imbalance in an integrated manner, requiring careful evaluation of each case during the consultation. Also, learn about genioplasty, a surgical alternative that uses osteotomy of the chin instead of an implant.
A significant advantage of profileplasty is that it preserves individual characteristics, altering the original physiognomy very little. The surgery merely restores the lost balance between facial structures, promoting expressive results with subtle and natural changes.
Call and book a consultation for mentoplasty, the chin augmentation surgery with silicone
To learn more about mentoplasty and other plastic surgeries I perform in Londrina, Brazil, get in touch with Clínica Zamarian and book a consultation. I will be pleased to assess your case in person.
Mentoplasty is often combined with rhinoplasty for complete facial profile harmonisation, with facial lifting for rejuvenation, and with neck lift for defining the cervical angle. Facial filling can complement adjacent areas. Interested patients may also consider buccal fat removal for facial thinning. Learn more about the investment.
Are you ready for this new change? Call now and book a consultation!
No. I perform mentoplasty exclusively from inside the mouth, with an incision in the lower oral vestibule, between the gum and the lip. This way, there is no visible external scar. The stitches I use are absorbable and do not need to be removed.
How long does the mentoplasty surgery take?
In my experience, mentoplasty for augmentation with silicone takes about twenty to thirty minutes, performed under general anaesthesia. The patient wakes up shortly afterwards, without pain, and can be discharged on the same day — unless the mentoplasty is associated with other plastic surgeries.
Does the silicone implant in the chin need to be replaced?
No. Mentoplasty with solid silicone is a surgery designed to last a lifetime. Unlike breast implants, which are made of gel silicone, the chin implant does not require replacement. Only in rare cases of bone erosion may removal be necessary, and throughout my career, I have never recorded complications arising from this surgery.
Is it possible to combine mentoplasty with rhinoplasty?
Yes, and this combination is quite common in my practice. We call it profiloplasty — the plastic surgery of the facial profile. Often, the patient comes to my office believing that their nose is too large, when in fact what detracts from the profile is a receded chin. Profiloplasty corrects this imbalance in an integrated manner, with subtle changes and very expressive results.
What is the postoperative period like for mentoplasty?
I recommend that my patients maintain a liquid diet for the first five days to avoid contamination of the incision. I apply an external dressing with micropore that immobilises the area for five to seven days. I advise sleeping on their back for a month and avoiding physical exercise. After two months, I clear any activity — by this stage, the swelling has significantly reduced and the patient returns for postoperative photos.
Is the silicone implant fixed with screws?
No. In my technique, I do not use screws or other fixation methods. I create a snug space, crafted to the exact size of the implant, ensuring immediate stability. The external dressing immobilises the area until initial healing. This approach makes the surgery more economical and significantly reduces the risk of complications such as extrusion and infection around screws.
When is mentoplasty indicated?
During the consultation, I assess the patient's dentition and bite using Angle's classification. If the occlusion is balanced — without significant retrognathism or prognathism — and there is a disproportionately small chin (hypomentalism), I indicate mentoplasty with a solid silicone implant. In cases with bite problems, I first request an orthognathic evaluation with a specialised dentist.
Is there mentoplasty without silicone?
Yes. I can perform mentoplasty by cutting the chin bone and repositioning it: advancement for a small chin, setback for a large chin, or lateralisation to correct asymmetries. In these cases, I opt for fixation with steel wire, due to the lower complication rate. However, these options are much rarer than mentoplasty with solid silicone, which is the procedure I perform most frequently.
What type of implant is used in mentoplasty?
I use solid silicone implants from Silimed, with sizes ranging from one to three, smooth. Generally, I choose size two implants for women and size three for men, but the size may vary according to each patient's needs. During the surgery, I personally shape the implant to fit the anatomy of the jaw — this personalised adjustment is crucial for a natural and symmetrical result.
Can mentoplasty be done with an external incision?
There is the possibility of an external incision, just below the chin. However, I do not use this access in my practice, as the intraoral incision provides equivalent results without leaving any visible scar. I consider the intraoral approach superior in all aspects.
