Facial Aesthetic

Chin and Jawline Surgery (Genioplasty and Mandibular Contouring)

Genioplasty and jawline surgery are procedures designed to improve the balance, projection, and definition of the lower face. They can enhance facial proportions, create a more harmonious profile, and address functional issues such as malocclusion when combined with orthognathic (upper or lower jaw) surgery. These operations can involve modifying the bone (osseous surgery) or using implants (alloplastic augmentation). Jawline surgery can target the chin, jaw angles, or the entire lower face, depending on patient's goals and underlying anatomy.

Types of Procedures

Genioplasty (Chin Surgery)

Osseous genioplasty (sliding genioplasty)
This procedure involves reshaping the patient’s own chin bone. The bone is carefully cut via an incision inside the mouth, allowing the chin segment to be moved forward, backward, upward, or downward. It can also be narrowed or widened. The bone is secured with small plates and screws. This technique preserves the natural anatomy and allows precise, three-dimensional adjustment. The surgery can be planned using patient specific cutting guides and custom plates to ensure precise movement. Occasionally, bone graft or bone substitutes can be used to support movement forward or down.
Alloplastic chin augmentation (chin implant)
This uses a pre-formed or customised implant (usually porous polyethylene) placed through a small incision in a skin crease under the chin or inside the mouth. The implant enhances projection, width, or shape of the chin without altering bone structure. It is suitable for patients who require augmentation but not major repositioning.

Jawline Surgery

Alloplastic jawline augmentation
Jaw angle or jawline implants enhance the width, definition, and contour of the mandible. These implants can provide stronger angles, a more defined jawline, or better balance for the lower face. Pre-formed or customised implant (usually porous polyethylene) can be used for this purpose.
Jaw angle reduction (V-line or mandible contouring surgery)
This is common in Asian facial aesthetic surgery. It involves shaving or reducing the width of the jaw angles through incisions inside the mouth. The procedure softens a square or heavy lower face and creates a slimmer, more tapered jawline.

Indications

Genioplasty and jawline surgery are designed to correct either a bony deficiency or a bony excess of the lower face. They address concerns such as a recessed or overly prominent chin, a wide or overly narrow lower face, or imbalance in the jaw angles. By adjusting the underlying skeletal framework, these procedures improve the proportion and harmony of the lower third of the face. They can also refine or complete results after orthognathic surgery when additional contouring or definition is desired.

Specific concerns that chin and jawline can address:

Retrogenia (Recessed Chin)
Retrogenia refers to a chin that sits too far back in relation to the rest of the face. This can make the neck appear fuller and exaggerate the prominence of the nose. A genioplasty can bring the chin point forward, creating a more defined jaw–neck angle and improving harmony across the lower third of the face.
Prognathia (Overly Projected Chin or Jaw)
In some patients, the chin or the entire lower jaw is too prominent. A genioplasty can also be used to setback the chin or jaw contouring can reduce excessive projection and restore a more proportional relationship between the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face.
Facial Asymmetry
Asymmetry of the chin or jaw angles may occur naturally or after trauma or previous surgery. It can involve the chin being off-centre or one jaw angle being more prominent than the other. Bone reshaping, contouring, or selective augmentation can help restore symmetry.
Weak Jawline or Poor Angle Definition
Some patients have a jawline that lacks sharpness or structure. Jawline implants, osseous reshaping, or combined soft-tissue procedures can provide stronger jaw angles and improved definition of the lower border. This surgery is also used in in gender reaffirming facial contouring to make the jawline appear more masculine.
Wide Lower Face
A lower face that is overly wide may appear heavy or square. Jaw angle reduction can refine a broad or square jawline, while augmentation can add width and structure to a narrow lower face. These procedures adjust underlying bone shape to better match the rest of the facial proportions. This is known as V-line jaw surgery when combined with a reduction genioplasty that reduces and narrows the prominence of the chin. This surgery is also used in gender reaffirming facial contouring to make a jawline appear more feminine.
Age-related or Post-traumatic Changes
Ageing can lead to bone resorption, soft-tissue descent, and reduced chin or jawline definition. Trauma or previous surgery, for example orthognathic surgery, may also alter the lower facial contour. Genioplasty and jawline contouring can restore structure and definition, either as standalone procedures or in combination with rejuvenation surgery such as a facelift or neck lift. Other facial aesthetic procedures can also be carried out concurrently such as rhinoplasty, lip lift, or buccal fat removal.

What to Expect

First Week

Swelling and bruising are expected and usually most noticeable in the first few days. A feeling of tightness, numbness, or firmness along the chin or jawline is common. A soft diet is recommended, until the incisions inside the mouth are well healed. Most patients can speak normally but may feel stiff or tender. A garment or tape is used support the chin. Ice packs are recommended for the first 24 hours, and it is useful to sleep with your head elevated on pillows. All sutures inside the mouth will be dissolving so nothing needs to be removed.

Weeks Two to Three

Swelling gradually settles and bruising fades. Most people feel comfortable returning to normal social activities. Numbness around the chin or lower lip may persist but usually improves progressively.

After Four Weeks

Residual swelling continues to decrease. The jawline becomes more defined as tissues settle into their final shape. Most patients return to full activity, including sports, after six weeks. Final results may take several months for bone and soft tissues to stabilise.

Potential Risks

All surgical procedures carry some risks. Possible complications include swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness of the chin, lips, or jaw, as well as infection, particularly when implants are used. There may be a risk of implant displacement, malposition, or dissatisfaction with the cosmetic result, and some patients may experience asymmetry or contour irregularities. Hematoma or bleeding can occur, and in osseous genioplasty there is a rare risk of delayed union or non-union of the bone. Nerve injury may lead to prolonged or, uncommonly, permanent changes in sensation. Scarring can occur if external incisions are used, and in some cases, revision surgery may be required to refine the final outcome.

If you have any queries about chin or jawline surgery or would like to arrange a consultation, please contact us at Terrace Plastic Surgery.

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Note that for facelift procedures in Brisbane, Dr Phua follows AHPRA requirements that include a minimum of two consultations, a cooling-off period before offering surgery, and screening for dysmorphic body disorder.

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