What is meant by genioplasty? Genioplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to fix some problems in the chin area or to change the appearance of the chin to improve facial symmetry. Although it is often considered a cosmetic surgery, genioplasty is sometimes used for purely medical purposes. Often called
Genioplasty surgery The patient undergoes general anesthesia, and this surgery has different types, and the most suitable one is chosen according to the patient’s condition and purpose of surgery.
The recovery period and the possibility of complications for the patient varies depending on many factors, such as: the type of surgery, and the techniques used.
Oral-maxillofacial surgeons usually perform this procedure, but some plastic surgeons who have the necessary training and experience can perform this type of procedure as well.
Genioplasty has not been performed?
Genioplasty may help treat various cosmetic or medical problems, such as:
Small or large chin.
The chin protruding outward.
Asymmetry of the sides of the chin.
Abnormal chin length, such as the chin being too long or too short.
The chin has fallen back abnormally, or what is called medically (Retrogenia).
Malalignment of the jaws.
It should be noted that the purpose of correcting some of the aforementioned problems may not only be cosmetic, but it may also be medical, as some of these problems may cause many health complications, for example A retracted chin problem may lead to sleep apnea.
Genioplasty may also sometimes be done as part of another plastic surgery procedure.
Types of genioplasty surgery
Genioplasty has several types, as follows
1. Sliding genioplasty
It is usually used to correct imperfections such as a protruding or retracted chin by making certain changes to the bones of the chin area. During this type of genioplasty, these are the most expected things to happen:
The patient is put under general anesthesia before the surgery begins.
The doctor makes an incision in the gum tissue below the lower jaw teeth.
The surgeon begins by cutting the bones of the chin area using a medical saw using the incision made in the previous step, to make the required adjustments, such as moving the cut bone forward or backward in a sliding way to change its location.
The chin bones are installed in their new place in the jaw using special screws, then the wounds are closed and a bandage is placed on them.
The duration of this process ranges between 15-120 minutes.
2. Implant augmentation
This type of genioplasty is usually used to change the shape of the chin, lengthen it, or make the chin more visible by placing a graft or filling under the skin of the chin area to surround the chin bones, giving the chin a different appearance.
During this type of genioplasty, these are the most expected things to happen
The patient is anesthetized, then a surgical incision is made in the inner area of the mouth or in the skin of the lower chin.
The doctor s the graft or filling through the incision. Fillers are available in several types, for example, there are fillings made of silicone and others made of plastic.
The filling is held in place with sutures or surgical screws, and the incision is then closed.
This process usually takes a maximum of 60 minutes.
Sometimes, instead of using fillers, the chin area may be injected with fillers, and this solution is temporary, and is an native to graft genioplasty.
Recovering from genioplasty surgery
These are the most important things to expect during the recovery period
It is normal for the patient to feel discomfort and pain, but this pain and discomfort will gradually subside.
The doctor may prescribe some medications and painkillers for the patient, which the patient must adhere to using according to the doctor''s recommendations.
The doctor may recommend that the patient follow some guidelines to speed up recovery, such as: following a diet of soft food, gargling with saline solutions, applying cold compresses to the chin, and sleeping in a sitting position during the days following surgery.
The patient usually makes a full recovery within 1-2 weeks after undergoing the operation, if he adheres to the doctor’s instructions.
Complications of genioplasty surgery
Genioplasty may have potential complications, such as
Bleeding: Although light bleeding in the area of the operation wound is expected, any bleeding that continues for more than 10 minutes and does not stop despite imposing some kind of pressure on it may be alarming.
Infection and inflammation: In some uncommon cases, the surgical wound may become infected, especially if it is not properly cared for.
Numbness and numbness: It is common for the patient to feel numbness in the lower lip for a short period after the operation, and in some cases the numbness may remain with the patient for several months after the operation.
Other complications, such as: damage to the roots of the teeth, complications related to anesthesia, necrosis of fatty tissue, prolonged swelling, scars, persistent pain, and hematomas.
It is preferable to consult a doctor without delay if any of the aforementioned complications appear.
