A common question asked during consultation for chin augmentation with a chin implant relates to chances of the implant moving after placement. As I tell all my chin implant patients, there is always a chance the implant can shift or move slightly after placement. It is, however, very unlikely the implant will move to a significant or visible degree once placed properly.
I normally place my implants from under the chin since we are often doing liposuction or platysma muscle tightening at the same time. But even in those cases of isolated chin implant placement, I still prefer this approach. By virtue of going under the chin I can create a very short and direct path to where the implant will ultimately rest. In addition, I avoid the risk and concern of infectious complications that come about when implants are placed through the mouth (intraoral route). Once I expose the lower border of the jaw bone, I create precise pockets or tunnels under the periosteum, which is a thick, dense covering immediately over the bone. Chin implants typically have tapered tails that extend from the middle on each side that allow natural blending with your native jaw bone. These tails are tucked under the periosteum almost like your arm fits into a sleeve. In doing so, the chin implant becomes quite stable in terms of position and is inhibited from moving left or right and up or down. At this point in the operation, it is actually quite difficult to remove the implant even with surgical instruments. I also happen to fixate the implant with a single absorbable suture placed just under the jaw bone. This provides added stability until the implant area is fully healed.
Using this technique I have been highly successful in placing chin implants for augmentation of the jawline.
