CHIN ENHANCEMENT (CHIN IMPLANT):
What options do I have to increase the prominence of the chin area?
The lower part of your jaw is called the mandible. The upper jaw is called the maxilla. If the upper jaw and lower jaw projection is balanced, the teeth fit correctly. This is called normal occlusion (“a normal bite”).
If the recessed chin is caused by the lower jaw (mandible) being under projected or recessed, the teeth will not match (mal-occlusion) and the bite will be abnormal. This problem is treated by an oral maxilla-facial surgeon.
If the balance between the upper and lower jaw is normal, the occlusion (bite) is normal and the cosmetic deformity is an isolated lack of chin projection, this can be corrected by increasing the prominence of the chin using the patient’s own bone or using an implant.
A reliable guide in assessing whether the chin is recessed (“weak”) is to look at the relationship of your lower lip projection and the chin projection in profile. If you drop an imaginary line from the lower lip to the floor, the chin should touch or almost touch this line. In other words, the chin and the lower lip almost line up exactly on this imaginary line.
A recessed chin will be well short of this imaginary line so the lower lip will be more prominent in profile, when compared to the chin projection.
A recessed chin will also create the illusion of a larger nose when looking at a patient’s profile.
OpERATION:
The surgical procedure to correct a recessed chin can be done under local or general anaesthesia.
The small chin can be approached using an incision along the inside of the mouth which does not leave an exposed scar. This is used for a chin augmentation using an implant.
There are a variety of implant types (silicone and non-silicone), shapes, and sizes, all of which are customized to the patient.
**This will be discussed with the patient in the consultation with Dr. Giuffre.
Occasionally, patients with adequate jaw bone may be candidates for a mandibular slide procedure, where their own bone is used to augment the chin, without using an implant. This procedure is done under General Anaesthetic and requires a skin incision under the chin area. This approach will leave a scar. This will not affect the teeth or the occlusion (“bite”).
The various surgical options for chin augmentation will be reviewed with the patient in consultation with Dr. Giuffre
THE RISKS:
What are the risks of doing a Chin procedure?
With any surgery there are surgical and anesthetic risks.
Aside from the rare risks of an anesthetic event, some of the general and specific surgical risks for this procedure would include:
Scarring
Infection of the incision
Infection of the bone
Swelling and bruising
Sensation changes to the lower lip and chin for up to 3-6months or longer
Discomfort
Time off work and exercise
Bleeding (hematoma)
Contour asymmetry
Extrusion of the implant
**This list is not complete.
During the consultation with the patient, Dr. Giuffre will outline and explain each of the risks in detail.
THE FOLLOWUP:
How often do I need to come back for a checkup after the surgery?
Postoperative visits include:
1 week visit
6 week visit
If there are any patient concerns, Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number for patient's direct access.
After the 6 week visit, if there are any future requests for an appointment, they are made directly with Dr. Giuffre office and an expedited visit is arranged.
I no longer have access to my original surgeon. What can I do?
For cosmetic or reconstructive concerns, patients are invited to contact Dr. Giuffre's office (780-428-7737) for an appointment.
Dr. Giuffre does not require a referral.
There is no charge for the consultation.
FINANCING:
How much does it cost?
This is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by Alberta Health Services.
The cost of cosmetic surgery is covered entirely by the patient.
The one fee would include:
the cost of the anesthetist if required (who provides the General Anesthetic)
the rental of the operating room and equipment
the staff including the nurses and administration staff
the surgical fee
The cost will vary depending on the duration of the procedure and the quality and sophistication of the surgical facility where the surgery is performed.
The fees will be discussed at the time of consultation with Dr. Giuffre.
There is no obligation to proceed with surgery following the consultation. The patient is referred to our web sites and is invited back for a second consultation if need be.
Our office will endeavour to expedite a surgical procedure to accommodate both business and family obligations.
All fees are receipted. GST payment is required.
Can I finance the costs of the surgery? How do I do this?
Dr. Giuffre does not provide in house financing for cosmetic procedures.
There are a number of companies across Canada that will finance cosmetic surgery not much different than financing a vehicle or mortgages. Please refer to the links provided for this information.
**Dr. Giuffre has no financial or business relationship or affiliation with any of these companies.
If something goes wrong, do I have to repay for the operation?
You do not have to pay for the treatment of an immediate complication. In the unusual event that there is a problem with your original surgery, you do not have to pay for the correction.
How much does it cost?
The cost of cosmetic surgery is covered entirely by the patient. The one fee would include:
the cost of the anesthetist (who provides the General Anesthetic)
the rental of the operating room and equipment
the rental of the recovery room and equipment
the staff, including the nurses and administration staff
the surgical fee
The cost will vary depending on the duration of the procedure and the quality and sophistication of the surgical facility where the surgery is performed.
The fees will be discussed at the time of consultation with Dr. Giuffre.
There is no obligation to proceed with surgery following the consultation. The patient is referred to our websites and is invited back for a second consultation if need be.
Our office will endeavour to expedite a surgical procedure to accommodate both business and family obligations. All fees are receipted. GST payment is required.
What about having my Cosmetic Surgery in another country where it is cheaper?
There is a current trend to have surgery out of your country where the surgery may be cheaper.
We call this tourist surgery.
There are a number of additional risks associated with tourist surgery, which include:
The surgical skill, experience, licensing and education of an unknown surgeon.
Canada has very strict rules and requirements to be a licensed Plastic Surgeon (FRCS(C)) in our country. Your Plastic Surgeon has completed an undergraduate degree (4 years), an MD degree (4 years), a Fellowship Degree in Plastic Surgery (5 years) and often a post Fellowship (1-2 years).
A “friend” is not a good reference, nor is glitzy advertising.
The safety, sterility and equipment quality, including anaesthesia machines in the hospital or private surgical suite could be questionable; this may lead to increased risk of infection and anaesthetic risks.
Post operative care is limited to the time you spend in their country.
If you have a complication, to see your original surgeon, you will have to fly back to where your procedure took place, or see a new surgeon in your own Country.
If you have an unsatisfactory result, you will have to fly back to see your original surgeon or find a new Surgeon.
The cost of the repair may exceed what you originally paid, and the final result, fixing a mistake, is often not as good as it could have been had the surgery been done correctly the first time.
After accounting for the accumulated costs of the air travel, hotel, surgery and postoperative care, the perceived cost savings may not be significant.
If you have a severe, life threatening complication, Alberta Health Care will cover the medical costs for your care.
Correcting the reconstructive problem, as a result of the complication, would be the patient’s financial responsibility.