Chin augmentation

Chin augmentation in Turkey: what it is and how it works

Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) is a surgical procedure that reshapes, widens, or projects the lower jawline. A receding or disproportionately small chin (microgenia) can make the nose appear prominent, soften neck definition, and disrupt facial balance. Surgery corrects lower facial proportions by advancing the chin point relative to the lips and neck. Clinics in Turkey offer two main surgical approaches: placing a biocompatible implant over the jawbone or performing a sliding genioplasty to reposition the patient's own bone.

Chin surgery is not a weight-loss treatment and does not alter dental bite alignment. It is an anatomical procedure designed for individuals with a structurally weak lower profile. This guide explains how chin surgery works, what clinical evidence shows, comparative costs across Turkey, the UK, the US, and Germany, recovery stages, and safety factors. For wider facial options, see our guide to plastic surgery treatments in Turkey.

Get my free quote

Does chin augmentation actually work?

Yes. Chin augmentation is well supported by decades of surgical literature and peer-reviewed studies. Professional plastic and maxillofacial surgery registries report satisfaction rates exceeding 90% when performed on suitable candidates. Advancing the chin structurally improves the cervicomental angle (the line between chin and neck), reduces the appearance of a double chin caused by a recessed bone, and harmonises the lower third of the face with the nose and forehead.

However, the procedure has distinct anatomical limits. It does not correct dental malocclusion; severe skeletal retrognathia affecting the bite requires orthognathic jaw surgery rather than cosmetic chin surgery. Additionally, while structural projection tightens soft tissue slightly in younger patients with elastic skin, it cannot resolve extensive skin laxity in older individuals. In such cases, surgeons recommend combining the procedure with a neck lift rather than promising unrealistic skin tightening from an implant alone.

Chin augmentation techniques: implants vs sliding genioplasty

Permanent chin reshaping relies on two primary techniques. The most common is placing chin implants made from solid silicone or porous polyethylene (Medpor). The implant is secured directly over the mandibular bone beneath the periosteum. The alternative is sliding genioplasty, where a surgeon cuts the lower chin bone with an oscillating saw, advances the bone segment, and fixes it with titanium mini-plates.

For patients seeking definition along the entire lower jaw border, surgeons may also consider a wider jaw implant. The table below compares the main approaches:

Your surgeon chooses the method after examining your facial skeleton and 3D imaging, ensuring the plan matches your bone structure.

Chin augmentation cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany

The cost of chin surgery depends on whether an implant or sliding genioplasty is performed, the anaesthesia chosen, and whether additional facial procedures are combined. The table below outlines approximate price ranges across major destinations. These figures represent general estimates rather than hospital quotes.

Several clinical variables affect the final chin augmentation cost. A standard silicone implant placed under local anaesthesia with sedation costs less in operating time and materials than a sliding genioplasty requiring general anaesthesia and titanium fixation plates. Custom 3D-moulded implants also incur higher manufacturing costs than stock anatomical models.

In Turkey, international packages typically cover pre-operative consultations, blood tests, CT imaging, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, hospital facility charges, medications, and airport-hotel-clinic transfers. Always obtain an itemised written quotation before travelling.

Get my free quote

Who is a suitable candidate for chin surgery?

Suitable candidates are healthy adults with completed bone development (aged 18 and older) who have a receding, weak, or asymmetrical chin. Good candidates have a normal dental bite (Class I occlusion) where teeth align correctly, firm skin elasticity, and realistic aesthetic goals. Non-smokers experience significantly lower infection risks and heal faster.

Conversely, chin surgery is less suitable for individuals with significant bite misalignments requiring full jaw repositioning, active oral infections, or unmanaged health conditions such as diabetes or bleeding disorders. Because a weak chin frequently makes the nose look larger in profile, patients often combine chin surgery with rhinoplasty to achieve balanced facial proportions.

The chin augmentation procedure step by step

Chin surgery follows a clear surgical sequence designed for anatomical precision and patient safety:

• Pre-operative evaluation: The surgeon assesses facial proportions and examines cephalometric X-rays or 3D CT scans to map bone contours and the mental nerve.
• Anaesthesia: Chin implants are placed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia. Sliding genioplasty requires general anaesthesia.
• Incision: For implants, the incision is made either inside the mouth behind the lower lip (intraoral) or under the chin in the natural submental crease. Genioplasty uses an intraoral incision.
• Pocket dissection: The surgeon creates a precise pocket under the periosteum directly over the mandibular bone, taking care to protect the mental nerves.
• Placement and fixation: The implant is positioned over the chin bone and often fixed with a titanium screw to prevent shifting. In a genioplasty, the mobilised bone segment is advanced and fixed with titanium mini-plates.
• Closure and dressing: Intraoral wounds are closed with dissolvable stitches; submental skin cuts use fine sutures. A compression dressing is applied to reduce swelling.

Operative time is usually 45 to 75 minutes for an implant and 90 to 120 minutes for sliding genioplasty.

Chin augmentation before and after: what are realistic results?

In clinical before-and-after photographs, successful chin augmentation shows a clearer jawline, improved profile balance, and better separation between chin and neck. Men typically achieve a stronger, broader chin contour, while women generally prefer a softer, contoured projection.

However, photographs do not capture the recovery journey. Early on, post-operative swelling and temporary muscle tightness make the chin look stiff or slightly over-projected. Most oedema resolves within six to eight weeks, and the settled result appears after three to six months as tissues drape naturally over the new contour. When reviewing portfolio pictures, look for unedited photographs of patients who had a similar starting chin shape and skin type to yours.

Your trip to Turkey and recovery timeline

Patients travelling to Turkey for chin surgery typically stay five to seven nights. This allows sufficient time for surgical preparation, post-operative rest, and an in-person follow-up before flying home. Recovery milestones include:

• Days 1 to 3: Swelling and bruising peak. You will feel tightness and mild soreness around the jaw. Keep your head elevated, consume soft foods, and use prescribed antiseptic mouthwash after eating.
• Days 4 to 7: Swelling begins to decline. The surgeon removes external dressings and any external skin sutures, confirming healing before clearing you to fly.
• Weeks 2 to 3: Bruising fades and you can return to desk work. Sensation around the lower lip gradually normalises. Light walking is permitted, but avoid heavy lifting.
• Weeks 4 to 6: Bone stability is established. Moderate gym exercise can resume once cleared by your surgeon. Contact sports must wait until at least eight weeks.
• Months 3 to 6: Residual swelling disappears completely, revealing the final jawline profile.

Get my free quote

Potential risks and complications of chin surgery

Chin augmentation is considered safe when conducted by qualified specialists, but all surgery carries potential risks. Professional bodies including the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) outline several recognised complications:

• Nerve altered sensation: Temporary numbness or tingling in the lower lip and chin is common due to stretching of the mental nerve. Normal sensation usually returns within weeks, though prolonged numbness can rarely occur.
• Infection: Bacterial infection is a recognised risk, particularly with intraoral incisions. Prophylactic antibiotics and mouthwashes reduce this risk. If an implant develops a persistent infection, it may need temporary removal.
• Implant shifting: An insecurely seated implant may shift, causing asymmetry. Rigid screw fixation helps prevent displacement.
• Bone resorption: Over many years, silicone implants can cause mild, superficial bone remodeling underneath, which is rarely visible externally.
• Haematoma or seroma: Fluid or blood collection beneath the skin may occasionally require clinical drainage.

How to choose a facial plastic surgeon in Turkey and red flags

Choosing a qualified surgeon is essential for a safe, natural outcome. Verify that your surgeon is a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health. The operation should take place in an accredited hospital with full emergency and anaesthetic facilities.

Watch for red flags: avoid clinics that provide a price without reviewing photos, do not use CT scans or X-rays to assess bone structure, use sales pressure, cannot identify your surgeon in advance, or lack a clear aftercare plan. Read how our process works to understand our standards, and request a detailed free quote for a transparent assessment.

Questions to ask your surgeon before chin augmentation

Take this checklist to your pre-operative consultation:

• Do you recommend a chin implant or sliding genioplasty for my bone structure, and why?
• Will you use an intraoral or submental incision, and what are the advantages for my case?
• What material, shape, and size of implant will you use, and will it be secured with a screw?
• How many chin augmentations do you perform each year?
• What steps do you take to protect the mental nerve during surgery?
• Can I see before-and-after photos of patients with chin shapes similar to mine?
• What is your procedure if the implant shifts or if I experience complications after returning home?

Get my free quote

Hospitals with Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Turkey

Academic Hospital

Üsküdar, Istanbul

MoHHealth Tourism Licence+2

Get Free Quote

Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital

Pendik, Istanbul

JCIMoH+2

Get Free Quote

View all

Frequently asked questions