Chin Implant

[jellybean2025]

I had a chin implant placed exactly one year ago following 2 surgeries to bring my lower jaw forward.  My chin since the first surgery has always been numb in spots but I always got my huge smile back.  Following the chin implant I do not have as big of a smile.  He secured the chin implant to the titanium plates used on my jaw surgery which made me mad.  Since he used those the chin implant isnt even, even with my real chin it sits up a tiny bit and its not centered.  I never had a problem with my chin it was just short.  I thought when a chin implant was placed that it was suppose to at least be even with your original chin?  What do you secure it with if the person doesnt have plates from a prior surgery?  Also it seems as tho my smile isnt as big cuz the chin implant is too high up and not allowing my lower lip to pull down as far?  It is bothersome to me.  If he goes back in and lowers it will I be able to smile like I use to?  I've got tingling from this surgery up to the lower right of my lip ... I didnt have that after the jaw surgeries.

Thanks
  

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Revision means that he will re-operate on the area to correct your problem.  Get details of his surgical advise from him.

[jellybean2025]

I spoke to the surgeon and he told me he would do a revision of the chin implant.  What does that mean?

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Chin implants are usually not secured with any plates or sutures when that is the sole procedure performed.  You have had a much more complex situation that your surgeon would be in the best position to comment on.  Numbness and some distortion of muscle function can occur in the early post-operative healing period and usually resolve with time.  On occasion, these problem can persist because of nerve injury at the time of surgery.