Genioplasty at a glance
- DurationAbout 1 hour
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stayDay surgery or 1 night
- Social downtime7 to 15 days
- Final result3 months
- Price€3,000 to €6,000
Genioplasty is surgery on the chin bone (osteotomy) that restores the harmony of the face from the front and in profile. It can move the chin forward or back, lengthen or shorten it, and correct an asymmetry. It is performed from the age of 18, under general anaesthesia, in about 1 hour, entirely from inside the mouth: no scar is visible. The hospital stay is day surgery or one night at Clinique Oxford in Cannes, and social downtime is 7 to 15 days. The result, visible immediately, is final at 3 months.
Price: €3,000 to €6,000, on a written quote after a consultation (€100).
Genioplasty, implant or injection: what is the difference?
| Genioplasty (osteotomy) | Chin implant | Hyaluronic acid injection | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle | The chin bone is cut and moved | An implant (silicone or Medpor) is placed on the bone | A gel is injected to reshape the chin |
| What it corrects | Receding, protruding, too long, too short or asymmetrical chin | Weak chin (augmentation only) | Receding, narrow or short chin, groove under the lip |
| Scar | None visible (inside the mouth) | Inside the mouth or under the chin | None |
| Anaesthesia | General | General or local with sedation | Anaesthetic cream |
| Hospital stay | Day surgery or 1 night | Day surgery | None (at the practice) |
| Social downtime | 7 to 15 days | 3 to 7 days | Usually none |
| Final result | 3 months | 3 months | Immediate; touch-up possible around day 15 |
| How long the result lasts | Permanent | Permanent | Temporary |
| Price | €3,000 to €6,000 | €3,000 to €4,000 | From €350 |
Which chin shapes can be corrected?
Chin imperfections affect the harmony of the face from the front and in profile. They can be combined:
- receding chin: the chin is weak or set back;
- protruding chin: the chin juts forward (“lantern jaw”);
- chin too high: too long from the front, it needs to be shortened;
- chin too short: it needs to be lengthened;
- asymmetrical chin.
Only genioplasty corrects all these shapes, because it can reduce as well as augment the chin, both vertically and horizontally.
Receding chin
The chin is weak or set back: genioplasty advances it, and the neck is better defined.
Dotted line: the harmonious profile. An asymmetry of the chin is assessed from the front.
What is the aim of a genioplasty?
Genioplasty restores the balance of the profile between the chin, the nose and the forehead. When the chin is moved forward, the neck is also better defined. A rhinoplasty is sometimes combined with the genioplasty: this is called profileplasty.
From what age?
A genioplasty can be considered once the face has finished growing, that is, from the age of 18.
Genioplasty, implant or injection: how to choose?
- Genioplasty is the only technique that can move the chin forward or back, lengthen it or shorten it. Its result is permanent and natural, since it uses the patient’s own bone.
- A chin implant is suitable for a weak chin without a dental bite problem. It can only augment the chin.
- Hyaluronic acid injection corrects a receding, narrow or short chin without surgery, but its result is temporary.
- Fat grafting (lipofilling) is not a good option for advancing a chin; it can, however, soften certain contours after a genioplasty or an implant.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Qualified plastic surgeon in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine; in practice in Cannes since 2011; member of SOFCEP (French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
- Osteotomies by ultrasound (piezosurgery), a technique he also uses in ultrasonic rhinoplasty.
Before and after photos
Advancement genioplasty
Mandibular osteotomy to correct a receding chin
Genioplasty for a receding chin
Genioplasty by osteotomy for a receding chin (retrogenia)
Profileplasty for a prominent chin with a deep labiomental fold and an osteocartilaginous hump
Rhinoplasty and genioplasty. When well performed, a profileplasty can in particular rejuvenate the face by reducing the effect of facial sagging
See all before and after photos of chin surgery
What happens during a genioplasty?
- ConsultationWith Dr Médard de Chardon (€100): analysis of the profile, choice of technique, written quote. A statutory 15-day cooling-off period applies before any cosmetic surgery.
- Anaesthetic consultationBefore the operation.
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia, in about 1 hour, as day surgery or with one night in hospital.
- TechniqueThe incision is made inside the mouth. The chin bone is cut by piezosurgery (ultrasound), which reduces bruising, pain and the risk of complications. It then slides forward or back, and can be shortened or lengthened, before being fixed with a small plate and very small screws. The stitches are dissolvable.
- Follow-upConsultations after the operation, at no extra charge.
Before: the osteotomy
The incision is made inside the lower lip. The bone is cut below the roots of the teeth, preserving the mental nerve.
- 1Incision inside the lower lip: no visible scar
- 2Bone cut line, below the roots of the teeth
- 3Mental nerve (sensation of the lip and chin), preserved
- 4Chin moved forward: the bone fragment slides forward
- 5Fixation with a small plate and screws
What is the recovery like?
- Semi-liquid or soft diet for 7 days.
- Bruising on the chin: up to 21 days.
- Swelling of the chin: 10 to 20 days.
- Social downtime: 7 to 15 days; 7 to 15 days off work.
- Sport: none for 2 months, no strenuous sport for 3 months.
- No stitches to remove.
- Result visible immediately, final at 3 months.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
- Changes in sensation in the area supplied by the mental nerve (V3): numbness of the gums, teeth, lower lip and chin. Usually temporary, it may take weeks or months to wear off. Piezosurgery markedly reduces this risk.
- Delayed healing or non-union of the bone: very rare, it requires a second operation.
- Infection: rare, it is usually treated by simple rinses and antibiotics.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
What is the price of a genioplasty?
€3,000 to €6,000
From €3,000 to €6,000, on a written quote after the consultation (€100). Genioplasty for cosmetic purposes is not covered by the Assurance Maladie (French national health insurance).
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about genioplasty
Does genioplasty leave a scar?
No. The operation is performed entirely from inside the mouth and the stitches are dissolvable: no scar is visible on the skin.
Genioplasty or chin implant: which should I choose?
An implant is suitable for a chin that is simply weak and needs augmenting. Genioplasty can also move the chin back, shorten it, lengthen it or make it symmetrical, with a permanent result achieved using the patient’s own bone.
What can I eat after a genioplasty?
The diet is semi-liquid or soft for 7 days, while the mouth heals. There are no stitches to remove.
How long does the swelling last after a genioplasty?
Swelling of the chin lasts 10 to 20 days and bruising up to 3 weeks. Social downtime is 7 to 15 days.
Is the result of a genioplasty permanent?
Yes. The chin is reshaped using the patient’s own bone: the result is visible immediately and final at 3 months, once the swelling has gone down.
Can the lip remain numb after a genioplasty?
Numbness of the lower lip, teeth and chin is possible. It is usually temporary, but may last weeks or months. Cutting the bone with ultrasound markedly reduces this risk.
Can a genioplasty be combined with a rhinoplasty?
Yes. The combination of the two, called profileplasty, restores the balance of the profile between the nose, the chin and the forehead.
From what age can you have a genioplasty?
From the age of 18, once the face has finished growing.
How much does a genioplasty cost in Cannes?
The exact price is set on a written quote after the consultation (€100) and ranges from €3,000 to €6,000.