SurgicalDraft — pending clinician review
Sliding genioplasty
Sliding genioplasty cuts and repositions the lower portion of the chin bone, fixing it in a new position with small plates and screws. Because it moves the bone itself, it can address vertical height and asymmetry in ways an implant cannot.
What it is designed to change
- Forward or backward chin projection
- Vertical chin height (lengthening or shortening)
- Certain chin asymmetries
What it does not change
- Overall jaw width or gonial angle
- Bite alignment — that is orthognathic surgery territory
- Neck soft tissue on its own
Typical candidate considerations
- Often discussed when movement needs exceed what implants address
- Requires imaging and skeletal evaluation
- Surgeon experience with facial skeletal surgery is a key screening question
Common alternatives
- Chin implant
- Dermal filler (temporary, small changes only)
- Orthognathic surgery when the bite is involved
Questions to ask a clinician
- What movement, in millimeters, are you planning and why?
- Why is genioplasty preferable to an implant in my case, or vice versa?
- What is your experience with this specific operation?
- How are nerves protected during the procedure?
General recovery stages
- First days: swelling, tightness, and a soft-food period are typical
- First weeks: swelling typically improves substantially; activity is staged per instructions
- Months: bone healing continues and the final contour settles
Potential risks and limitations
- Temporary or, less commonly, persistent numbness of the lip and chin
- Infection or hardware-related irritation
- Asymmetry or under/over-correction
- Need for revision
Factors that affect price
- Complexity of planned movement
- Surgeon specialization and market
- Facility, imaging, and anesthesia fees
Practical notes
- Durability
- Changes to bone position are generally permanent once healed.
- Reversibility
- Not practically reversible; further surgery would be required to adjust the result.
- Anesthesia
- Typically performed under general anesthesia.
- When to seek urgent care
- After a real procedure, fever, spreading swelling, drainage, or severe pain warrant contacting the surgical team or urgent care.
PlasticsForMe provides educational information and conceptual visualizations only. It is not medical advice, does not predict surgical results, and does not replace consultation with a licensed clinician.
This guide is draft editorial content. It has not yet completed clinician review, contains no statistics by design, and will list its author, reviewer, and sources when published under our editorial policy.