Introduction
Chin Alloplastic implants consist of silicone, polyetheretherketone, protoplast 1,2, Teflon, Dacron, hydroxyapatite, mersilene, and porous high-density polyethylene, biocompatible synthetic material that can last longer and provide good esthetics. Chin implants are considered cosmetic surgical treatment, mostly done as an alternative to rhinoplasty or rhytidectomy to enhance face look. Synthetic alloplastic implants are widely used because they provide stability and tensile strength and can be easily adapted and accepted by the body with healthy tissue growth.
What Are the Factors To Determine for the Surgery?
Chin augmentation improves the facial aesthetic by increasing the size of the lower jaw and balancing the forehead, nose, and chin in relation that looks more esthetic. There are many other surgical treatment options, but this method is commonly used. Before planning for the treatment, the healthcare provider will evaluate physically and with radiographs to plan if augmentation is necessary if there is a need, the size that should be increased, and the type of implant. The anatomy and physiology of the face are evaluated by checking the skin and sub-tissues; the activity of the mentalis muscle, mandibular periosteum, and the position of the mental nerve is the most crucial factor to check as damage to it can cause paresthesia of lip, the evaluation also helps to determine the approach of surgery, depending upon the need the procedure can be intraoral or submental. If the procedure is intraoral, then the mental nerve is directly visible and can be preserved, which helps in the precision of implant placement.
The implant should have ideal properties like it should be a non-carcinogenic, non-allergic, noninflammatory, biocompatible, high tensile strain, excellent bio show integration, resistant to mechanical stress, and have inert properties, should be available in various sizes and shapes, non-reactive, pliable, non-absorbable.
The most common alloplastic material used for chin implant mentation is solid silicon; they are non-allergic, less reactive, non-porous, which helps in preventing the ingrowth of fibrous tissue; they are easily pliable and cause an inflammatory response that leads to the formation of surrounding fibrous tissue they are available in different sizes and shapes and different styles which helps in better selection of implant.
High-density porous polyethylene is also used because of its non-allergic and non-absorbable properties; this implant has large pores, which allow growth of surrounding tissue outside, and inside, it implants better for osseointegration. Mesh material such as polyamide is used where flexibility is required. This material is flexible and pliable, allowing tissue growth inside and outside the implant.
How Is the Surgery Prepared for Chin Augmentation?
The surgery is planned after evaluating radiographs, clinical pictures, and cephalometric analysis. The forehead, nose, and chin relationship are significant. It is checked clinically by the Frankfort horizontal plane to determine the anatomic position from the external auditory canal to the inferior orbital rim. After selecting all factors, a decision is made to perform intraoral or submental.
What Care Should Be Taken Post-surgery?
The health care provider will prescribe medicine post-surgery to prevent infection and swelling that can occur as a complication of chin augmentation surgery; ice packs help preclude the formation of bumps and applying them for 24 hours helps prevent swelling. One must avoid excessive opening as it can stretch suturing and cause tissue tearing and bleeding. Avoid accidental hitting of the chin that will cause malpositioning of the implant or cause a secondary infection. The healthcare provider may ask to restrict solid food and excessive chewing as it can directly impact the muscles supporting the chin and create pressure. One must keep the surrounding area of the suture clean, or it can cause a secondary infection. One must avoid smoking as it can cause swelling because of the heat produced; one must maintain oral hygiene.
What Are the Complications of Chin Implant Surgery?
With every surgery, there are some risks associated, which can be temporary or permanent; the risk can be high, moderate, or low grade, the risk associated with chin alloplastic implant is down to a medium degree with the formation of hematoma, swelling during surgery because of the anesthesia or after surgery because of the infection, as the mental nerve is closely associated there are chances of paresthesia of lip and labial mucosa which can last for seven days to one months if something like this happens one must consult their health care provider to evaluate the same, there can be mal positioning of the implant due to misjudgment. Post-surgery there can be secondary resorption of surrounding tissue which looks like a groove between the implant and the original structure. This can be avoided by using a supraperiostel strip at the center; there can be a failure of the implant because of no osseointegration in between implant and bone, and the surrounding tissue fails to grow inside and outside the implant; the loss can also be because of the inflammation of surrounding tissues if post instructions are not followed. Because of the suture and cut, you can lose hair in a particular area. One can opt for alternative methods to avoid the risk and complications of implant, Botox, or derma fillers can be helpful in cases where minimal changes are required; these procedures can add volume to the chin to attain a straight profile or perfect jawline. Orthognathic surgery is another option, but it has many associated risks.
Conclusion
Chin alloplastic implant is a commonly used cosmetic surgery used for augmentation of the chin, if it adapts to the bone, it can give the best results, but there can be failure also if one is not the right candidate for it or if the shape and size or underlying condition of the person are not suitable for implant. Therefore, one must consult a healthcare provider and discuss the need, complications, risks, and alternative treatment for chin implants.
