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Mentoplasty: Not an Easy Surgery

Mentoplasty is a surgery to modify the shape, size or position of the chin. When a patient presents a poor developed chin, it is called hipomentonism or retrognatism, and when the chin is excessively prominent, it is called hipermentonism or prognatism. Dimensions are measured in the vertical direction as well as on the horizontal direction, and when studying it we should also take into account the rest of the jaw, the position of teeth, maxilla and front, among other things. The enlargement of a chin that must be corrected a few inches could be performed by the following means: An implant of chin prosthesis, which can be made from different materials, such as solid silicon, Goretex, and others. In order to introduce the implant, it is possible to use a sited incision inside the mouth, in the groove between the gum and the lower lip (by intraoral way), or else a small incision in the skin underneath the chin, like the one used in inferior third or neck lifting.

The placing is performed through small incision in the mucosa, or in the skin under the chin, under local anesthesia and in ambulatory regimen. In rare occasions it can produce transitory alterations in the sensitivity and mobility of the lip. Also, an advance of a portion of bone from the jaw, through the horizontal bone sections can be another option, using also the intraoral way. In these cases the bone rim is displaced and immobilized in an exact and precise way, allowing the correction of the defect and if necessary, it is also possible to shorten conveniently a too-long face. Otherwise, an infiltration of fatty tissue in the patient using a lipostructure technique with permanent results can also be used. Augmentation of a chin that must be corrected to a higher degree should be treated through sections in the bone or vertical advance osteotomies.

When the preoperatory estimation also evidences a bad occlusion of the teeth that advises an advancement of the inferior dental arc, a jaw advance will be necessary, with a posterior treatment of the orthodontist. To reduce a too prominent chin, a bone section (osteotomy) must be performed through an incision inside the mouth. Osteotomies allow advancing, shortening, and narrowing the jaw. It is important to identify the possible asymmetries or shape/size differences between a side of the face and the other.


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