Facial Implants & Contouring
The chin and jaw are among the most aesthetically influential features of the face. When these areas are underdeveloped, disproportionate or lacking in definition, the entire face reads differently. Facial implants and contouring procedures address that imbalance at its source, reshaping the framework that everything else sits on top of.
Dr. Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS, approaches facial implants and contouring as highly personalized and precise procedures. Whether the goal is a stronger chin profile, a more defined jawline or an overall improvement in facial proportion, Dr. Vallecillos tailors each plan around the specific dimensions and natural harmony of your face.
What Are Facial Implants?
Facial implants are solid, biocompatible devices surgically placed over the bone to augment the structure of the chin, jaw or cheeks. Chin implants, used in a procedure called mentoplasty, are the most commonly performed type and are designed to increase projection, improve definition or correct asymmetry in the lower face.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, chin augmentation is consistently among the fastest-growing facial procedures in the U.S., with significant increases in demand driven by heightened awareness of facial balance and proportion. In addition to augmentation, chin contouring can also involve a reduction procedure, in which a portion of the mandible bone is reshaped or reduced to create a softer, less prominent chin profile.
Procedure Walk-Through
Preparation
Several pre-operative steps are required before undergoing mentoplasty. Anti-inflammatory medications, blood thinners and supplements such as aspirin, Motrin and fish oil should be discontinued at least two weeks before surgery. Smoking must be stopped for a minimum of 14 days before and after the procedure, as nicotine significantly impairs healing. Patients over the age of 45 are required to obtain medical clearance from an independent physician, along with an ECG and lab work completed within 30 days of the surgery date.
Anesthesia
Most patients receive general anesthesia for chin implant surgery, though a local anesthetic combined with sedation is an option in select cases. Dr. Vallecillos will discuss the most appropriate choice based on the scope of the procedure.
The Surgery
Dr. Vallecillos makes small, strategically placed incisions (either inside the mouth along the lower gum line or in the natural crease beneath the chin) to minimize visible scarring. For augmentation procedures, a precisely sized implant is placed in a pocket created directly over the chin bone and secured in position. For reduction procedures, a portion of the mandible is carefully reshaped to achieve a softer contour. When submental liposuction is incorporated, excess fat beneath the chin and along the jawline is removed to refine the overall silhouette. Incisions are then closed and a light dressing applied.
Am I a Candidate for Facial Implants?
Facial implant surgery is appropriate for adults who are in good overall health and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can and cannot achieve. Good candidates are generally those who feel their chin or jawline is underdeveloped relative to their other features, who have concerns about facial symmetry or proportion and who have fully developed facial bones (typically after age 18).
Your candidacy for facial implants may be affected by the following:
- Active skin infections or oral health issues near the surgical site
- Autoimmune conditions or chronic illness that could impair healing
- A history of adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Significant bone abnormalities that may require orthognathic (jaw) surgery rather than implants alone
During your consultation, Dr. Vallecillos will evaluate your facial anatomy, bone structure, skin quality and overall health to determine the most effective approach for your goals.
Complementary Procedures
Facial implants can produce even better results when considered in the context of the full face. Dr. Vallecillos commonly pairs chin and jaw contouring with several complementary treatments, depending on the patient's concerns:
Rhinoplasty
Aesthetically speaking, there is a great deal of interplay between the nose and chin. A chin implant can make the nose appear proportionally smaller without rhinoplasty, but for patients who want to address the nose directly, combining the two procedures produces a powerful and well-balanced result.
Facelift
Patients interested in a facelift who also have a weakly defined chin or jawline often benefit from incorporating an implant into the same procedure. The facelift tightens and repositions soft tissue, while the implant reinforces the underlying skeletal framework.
Neck Lift
A poorly defined chin can make the neck appear shorter or heavier than it actually is. Addressing the chin alongside a neck lift creates a cleaner, more elongated profile.
FaceTite
For patients who want skin tightening in the jawline and submental (below the chin) area without a surgical lift, these radiofrequency-assisted procedures pair naturally with chin augmentation to improve both structure and tissue quality.
AccuTite
For patients who want skin tightening in the jawline and submental (below the chin) area without a surgical lift, these radiofrequency-assisted procedures pair naturally with chin augmentation to improve both structure and tissue quality.
Fat Transfer to Face
In some cases, restoring lost volume with the patient's own fat can complement implant-related contouring, especially in the midface or along the jawline.
Recovery and Aftercare
Chin implant recovery is generally well-tolerated, with most patients returning to desk work and light daily activities within seven to 10 days. The acute recovery phase involves mild to moderate swelling, bruising and some tightness around the chin and jaw, all of which are expected and resolve over the first two to four weeks.
Days 1 to 5
Swelling and bruising are most pronounced during this early window. A light compression dressing may be worn, and patients are advised to keep the head elevated. A soft food and liquid diet is recommended to minimize jaw movement.
Weeks 1 to 2
Most patients are ready to return to non-strenuous work. Stitches placed inside the mouth dissolve on their own; external sutures, if used, are typically removed around day seven.
Weeks 3 to 6
Swelling continues to resolve, and the new chin contour begins to emerge. Strenuous physical activity should still be avoided during this phase.
Months 2 to 3
Final results settle in as residual swelling fully clears. Most patients are cleared for all normal activities by the six-week mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chin augmentation and a chin reduction?
What is the difference between a chin augmentation and a chin reduction?
Chin augmentation uses a biocompatible implant to add projection and definition to an underdeveloped chin. Chin reduction involves surgically reshaping or removing a portion of the mandible bone to create a softer, less prominent chin profile. Dr. Vallecillos performs both, as well as combined approaches when indicated.
How long do chin implant results last?
How long do chin implant results last?
Chin implant results are intended to be permanent. The implant itself does not degrade over time, and the structural improvement to facial proportion is lasting. Revision is rarely necessary outside of implant displacement or a change in patient preference.
Will there be visible scarring after chin surgery?
Will there be visible scarring after chin surgery?
Incision placement is deliberately chosen to minimize visible scarring. When the incision is made inside the mouth, there is no external scar at all. When a submental incision is used, it is placed in the natural crease beneath the chin, where it typically becomes nearly imperceptible with proper healing.
Is chin surgery painful?
Is chin surgery painful?
Most patients describe discomfort rather than significant pain during recovery. Swelling and tightness are the most commonly reported sensations in the days following surgery, and these are well managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Discomfort typically resolves within the first week.
How do I know what size implant is right for me?
How do I know what size implant is right for me?
Implant size and style are selected based on a careful evaluation of the patient's existing bone structure, facial proportions and aesthetic goals. Dr. Vallecillos uses a hands-on assessment and may incorporate imaging to guide implant selection. The goal is always a result that looks like a natural extension of the patient's own features — never overdone.