AUGMENTATION
The operation of
mentoplasty is usually performed in conjunction with rinoplastia, to obtain a
proportionate look and a balanced profile. If there is maloclusion because the
mandible is not balanced with the
maxilla another operation is suited: In
these cases it is necessary to do complex operations of advancement or
push-back of the mandible/maxilla.
But commonly the placement
of implants (silicone, Goretex) on the chin is enough to increase its
projection. Other option is to cut the lower aspect of the chin to advance,
retrude or rotate the millimeters that we needed. The bone is kept in position
by means of a miniplate
In both cases the
preoperative study is fundamental. In order to determine the size of the
implant or the osseus advancement a cephalometric study is performed and some
measurements are done on the X ray and a lateral view of a picture of the face.
We determine the relationship between
the nose, lips and the chin.
The operation is carried
out by means of an incision within the mouth, behind the lower lip. A pocket in
front of the bone is developed and the implant is placed. After the operation
it is necessary to be on soft diet during one week and is normal to have
inflammation of the chin during 2-3 weeks. Also some degree of hyposthesia can
be noticed in the chin during a variable time.
Sometimes it is necessary
to reduce the chin because it is overprojected. The operation is similar to the
previous one but instead of placing a prosthesis the chin is reduced. This can
be done by cutting the excess (has been measured previously by means of the
radiographic study) or burring the chin, reducing its projection and shaping
it.
Dr. J. Benito Ruiz, 1998-2000