Chin implant

[Linda1]

I recently posted about my herbst appliance and the activation to bring my lower jaw forward. At the appointment on Friday, my orthodontist also mentioned the possibility of me getting a chin implant. He named some surgeons I could get a consult with and recommended it but also said it's my choice. Has anyone here had a chin implant? From the beginning of my treatment, he's mentioned this. I guess having a consult couldn't hurt? But I wonder why he suggested it so early in the treatment unless I would get the implant before my treatment is done?

[djspeece]

I've not had a chin implant, but suspect your ortho sees it as a useful supplement to your current regimen. An early consultation with a plastic surgeon will help determine the size of the implant based on your projected goals with orthodontics. Hopefully your ortho and the surgeon will coordinate their efforts so you have a unified treatment plan. By doing the implant while you are in braces everyone (you, the ortho, the MD) will be able to assess progress toward the end result and your ortho will be able to adjust his/her plan if needed. Best of luck to you.
P.S. As an RN I have taken care of implant patients post-op -- and this procedure is fairly simple with a quick recovery of a few days or so.

[Linda1]

Thanks for the info. Did most of the patients you see this procedure done on have braces or the surgery where they also move their jaw forward?

I had a consult with a surgeon today. They took photos like at an orthodontic consult. He said that the herbst is bring my jaw forward and giving me a more distinct jawline. He seemed to think I could have benefited from orthognagnic surgery, but said the herbst seems to be effective, though he said it would need to be activated further to bring my jaw further forward. He said even with a more defined jaw, I still don't really have much of a chin and that he recommends an implant. He would recommend it be done in several months while still in the braces (and maybe the herbst), just so my orthodontist can adjust more as needed. He looked at some different sizes. I'm supposed to see my orthodontist next week to discuss further.

[djspeece]

Thanks for the info. Did most of the patients you see this procedure done on have braces or the surgery where they also move their jaw forward?

I had a consult with a surgeon today. They took photos like at an orthodontic consult. He said that the herbst is bring my jaw forward and giving me a more distinct jawline. He seemed to think I could have benefited from orthognagnic surgery, but said the herbst seems to be effective, though he said it would need to be activated further to bring my jaw further forward. He said even with a more defined jaw, I still don't really have much of a chin and that he recommends an implant. He would recommend it be done in several months while still in the braces (and maybe the herbst), just so my orthodontist can adjust more as needed. He looked at some different sizes. I'm supposed to see my orthodontist next week to discuss further.

I seem to recall that most of the patients were just wanting the implant, and did not have braces - but cannot recall specifics of those cases. I think your plan sounds good. Best of luck to you.

[Linda1]

I went back to the surgeon last week and we set a date for the chin implant in early November. He wants me to still be in braces and the herbst, though the work of the herbst should be mostly complete.

[Linda1]

I went to the surgeon this week and am scheduled to get my chin implant this week. My herbst has been activated again to bring my jaw further forward so I do have more of a jawline now, just no chin. My surgeon is hopeful that this this procedure will enhance my profile.

[djspeece]

Best of luck to you!

[desertd]

Question and I hope it isn't taken the wrong way. Are there medical reasons for a chin implant or is it for appearance? Like I hinted at, if it's appearance, it's fine but I'm just curious because I've seen several people on here that have had/are getting chin implants.

[djspeece]

Chin implants are performed for cosmetic reasons, and sometimes in a reconstruction to correct issues from other surgeries.

[desertd]

Makes sense. Thanks!