A double chin is defined as a roll of fatty skin that is situated beneath your chin that makes it appear as if you have two chins, hence the name — double chin. While a double chin is fairly common, it is often not easy to resolve using weight loss. This is partly because a double chin is not just about the fat present, but also about the structure of the chin itself.

Factors that contribute to the appearance of a double chin include heredity and the bone structure of your face, as well as aging, which creates drooping skin and lax muscles around the chin and jawline – also known as a turkey neck.

A chin implant is a medical device that is designed to make the chin project further and create a clearer separation between where the chin stops and the neck begins, bringing balance to the face. This procedure can improve the appearance of a weak chin while tightening the skin in the area to reduce the appearance of a double chin. 

Chin implant surgery is a relatively quick outpatient procedure and can be performed with local anesthesia and sedation. Incisions are typically placed in the underside of your chin or inside your mouth where the gum meets the lip. The incision will be completely hidden or difficult to distinguish in either location. A pocket is created for the chin implant to sit against your jawbone. A solid silicone implant that has been specifically selected to best meet your goals is inserted and the incision is stitched shut.

Candidates for chin implant surgery should be in general good health, non-smokers and have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure.

The only way to know if a chin implant is an appropriate treatment for resolving your double chin is to speak with a qualified facial plastic surgeon. To schedule a surgery consultation with Dr. Nickodem in Annandale, contact Anne Nickodem, MD at 703-560-8711 or website today.