Chin surgery (mentoplasty): everything you need to know about chin reshaping
Chin surgery, also called mentoplasty or genioplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to correct an underdeveloped (receding) or overly prominent (protruding) chin. By reshaping the bone or adding a biocompatible implant, the surgeon restores ideal facial proportions, strengthens the jawline and improves harmony between the lower face and the overall profile. Performed under general anesthesia, the procedure ensures comfort, safety and long-lasting, natural results.
4.9 Rating | 23.000+ Procedures | European Medical Team
Table of contents:
1
Chin surgery explained: how the procedure works
2
Ideal candidate for chin surgery: key factors to consider
3
Chin augmentation: enhancing facial balance with a chin implant
4
Chin surgery: the journey to your transformation
5
Before and after mentoplasty: results and profile harmony
6
Recovery after chin surgery: main stages
7
Potential risks: what to consider before chin surgery
8
Why choose KEIT Day Hospital for mentoplasty?
In this article, you will learn how chin surgery works, who the ideal candidate is, and which surgical techniques offer natural and long-lasting results. You will also learn what to expect before, during, and after surgery, including the stages of recovery, potential risks, and why KEIT Day Hospital in Albania is considered one of Europe’s leading centres for safe, modern, and natural-looking chin surgery.
Chin surgery restores balance to the lower face by modifying the projection, size or shape of the chin. Depending on the patient’s needs, the surgeon either places a custom implant to enhance a receding chin or reshapes the bone to correct excessive prominence. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically lasts 1–2 hours. Most incisions are made inside the mouth, preventing visible external scars.
Chin Surgery: Receding Chin, Protruding Chin and Final Results
2 Ideal candidate for chin surgery: key factors to consider
Chin surgery is suited for patients who want to correct imbalances in the lower third of the face. The ideal candidates are those who:
Have a receding chin (microgenia) or a protruding chin (macrogenia).
Experience disharmony between the nose, chin and jawline.
Are in good overall health and cleared for surgery.
Have realistic expectations regarding contour improvement and final symmetry.
A specialist evaluation determines which surgical technique is best, ensuring safe treatment and lasting facial harmony.
3 Chin augmentation: enhancing facial balance with a chin implant
KEIT Day Hospital specialises in chin augmentation surgery to improve facial harmony, strengthen the jawline and correct a recessed or underprojected chin. The procedure uses a customised implant to enhance chin projection and create a more balanced facial profile while maintaining natural facial proportions.
Chin augmentation with implant: improved projection and natural results
Chin augmentation involves placing a custom-sized silicone or Gore-Tex implant through a small intraoral incision, positioned in front of the mandibular bone to increase chin definition. The implant is selected according to the patient’s facial structure and placed in a precisely created pocket to achieve stable, long-lasting results.
The intraoral approach avoids visible external scars, while the procedure usually takes around 1 hour. Recovery is generally straightforward, with swelling gradually improving over the following days. Chin augmentation can enhance facial symmetry, improve profile definition and create a more proportionate transition between the chin, jawline and other facial features.
(i) Image illustrating chin augmentation with an implant
4 Chin surgery: the journey to your transformation
Chin surgery follows a structured pathway designed to ensure safety, precision and natural results.
Consultation and facial analysis:
The process begins with a detailed evaluation of facial proportions, jaw alignment and chin projection. The surgeon may use digital simulations to visualize the ideal outcome and recommend the appropriate technique.
Medical evaluation:
Before surgery, every patient undergoes complete medical clearance, including blood tests, ECG and evaluations with both the anesthetist and cardiologist to ensure that they are fully fit for the procedure.
Pre-operative preparation:
Patients receive instructions regarding fasting, medication restrictions, oral hygiene and lifestyle adjustments. These steps optimize surgical safety and healing.
Procedure day:
The surgery is performed under general totally intravenous anesthesia, a modern technique known for smooth awakening and minimal nausea. Incisions are made inside the mouth, the implant or bone reshaping is completed and a small compressive dressing is applied. The procedure typically lasts 1–2 hours, depending on the technique and complexity.
5 Before and after mentoplasty: results and profile harmony
Before-and-after images show examples of results achieved following mentoplasty, highlighting changes in chin projection, profile definition, and the relationship between the chin, jawline, and other facial features. Below are some before-and-after cases of chin surgery showing how the results evolve after the procedure.
Recovery after chin surgery is straightforward, with progressive improvement in contour and symmetry.
Days 1–3:
Mild swelling, tightness or numbness may be present. Most patients resume light activities after 48–72 hours.
Week 1:
Bruising reduces significantly. Intraoral stitches begin to dissolve naturally.
Weeks 2–4:
Most swelling fades. Patients return to routine activities and the new chin contour becomes increasingly visible.
Months 2–3:
The final shape stabilizes as tissues fully adapt to the implant or bone modification.
Final results:
The chin appears harmonized, natural and proportionate to the rest of the face.
7 Potential risks: what to consider before chin surgery
When performed by an experienced surgical team, chin surgery is safe and low-risk. Understanding potential effects helps ensure realistic expectations.
Common effects: Temporary swelling, numbness and mild discomfort that typically resolve within weeks.
Specific risks: Minor asymmetry, intraoral wound irritation or temporary chewing discomfort.
Rare risks: Infection, implant shifting (in augmentation cases) or prolonged nerve sensitivity. These are minimized through sterile technique, skilled execution and proper post-operative care.
KEIT Day Hospital is a hospital facility dedicated to cosmetic surgery in Tirana, Albania, founded in 2011 by Dr Skerdilajd Faria. With over 23,000 procedures performed, KEIT has developed a structured approach to surgical care that combines the expertise of international surgeons, hospital infrastructure, medical technology, safety protocols, and long-term patient monitoring.
For mentoplasty, this approach covers every stage of the surgical process: from assessing facial proportions and chin projection and selecting the surgical technique to preoperative evaluations, surgery, and monitoring the healing process and the development of the aesthetic result.
1. Hospital infrastructure dedicated to cosmetic surgery
KEIT Day Hospital has 3 operating theatres, 2 inpatient wards with 10 rooms and 20 beds, an in-house laboratory, and a postoperative...
KEIT Day Hospital has 3 operating theatres, 2 inpatient wards with 10 rooms and 20 beds, an in-house laboratory, and a postoperative resuscitation room, allowing the entire surgical process to be managed within the same facility. The operating theatres are equipped with ventilation systems featuring HEPA filters, laminar airflow above the operating table, and positive air pressure. These technologies help control air quality and reduce the risk of contamination in the surgical environment. The facilities also include electric operating tables, Surgiris LED surgical lighting systems, Karl Storz surgical instruments, and modern equipment for monitoring patients' vital signs. The inpatient rooms are also designed to support patient safety and care during recovery. In addition to centralised oxygen and medical suction systems, they feature three alarm systems: a bedside device, a portable wrist-worn device, and smart sensors integrated into the bed and room environment. These systems alert healthcare staff when a patient requires assistance or when a situation requiring assessment is detected.
2. Surgeons selected according to their specialisation and experience
KEIT works with an international team of approximately 30 surgeons, including 27 Italian surgeons, specialising in plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and oral and...
KEIT works with an international team of approximately 30 surgeons, including 27 Italian surgeons, specialising in plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. A distinctive feature of the clinic's organisation is that surgeons are selected according to their specialisation and experience in the specific procedure. For particularly complex operations, teams of two or more surgeons may be assembled. For mentoplasty, the surgeon assesses chin projection, the shape of the lower jaw, the proportions of the lower third of the face, and the relationship between the chin, nose, and facial profile. These factors help establish a personalised surgical plan and identify the most appropriate technique, from implant placement to modification of the bone structure, according to the patient's anatomical characteristics and goals. The aim is to improve chin definition and facial profile balance, achieving a natural result that is proportionate to the rest of the face. KEIT Day Hospital surgeons regularly attend international congresses, training courses, and conferences to update their skills and keep abreast of scientific developments and surgical techniques within their respective specialities.
3. Comprehensive medical assessment before surgery
At KEIT Day Hospital, preparation for mentoplasty involves a structured medical assessment process. According to the clinic's protocol, every patient undergoes at...
At KEIT Day Hospital, preparation for mentoplasty involves a structured medical assessment process. According to the clinic's protocol, every patient undergoes at least two consultations with the surgeon, an anaesthetic assessment, a cardiology consultation, blood and urine tests, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). These evaluations are coordinated within the facility, which has an in-house laboratory for preoperative testing. These assessments help evaluate the patient's general health, identify potential risk factors, and determine their suitability for surgery and anaesthesia. For mentoplasty, the specialist assessment also considers the structure of the lower jaw, dental occlusion, and any skeletal abnormalities that may require a different surgical approach. When indicated, additional diagnostic tests may be requested to assess the bone anatomy more precisely and plan the procedure. This approach allows chin surgery to be planned by considering not only aesthetic goals but also the patient's individual anatomical characteristics and safety.
4. Advanced sterilisation and infection prevention protocols
KEIT Day Hospital follows infection control protocols developed in collaboration with infectious disease and microbiology specialists, involving systematic checks of the surgical...
KEIT Day Hospital follows infection control protocols developed in collaboration with infectious disease and microbiology specialists, involving systematic checks of the surgical environment and sterilisation processes. Air filtration systems undergo regular maintenance and replacement, while operating theatres are cleaned and disinfected after every procedure. During surgery, single-use sterile kits and fluid-resistant materials are used to help maintain a sterile surgical field. Disposable materials have identification labels containing information about their manufacture, expiry dates, and traceability, which is recorded in the patient's medical documentation. Surgical instruments are cleaned and sterilised after each use, following procedures documented through records generated by the equipment used. This system allows sterilisation processes to be verified and traced. The clinic also conducts regular microbiological testing of its facilities and follows antibiotic prophylaxis protocols when indicated by medical assessment. Together, these measures, from the management of sterile materials to sterilisation traceability and microbiological monitoring, form a fundamental part of KEIT Day Hospital's procedures for reducing the risk of surgical infections.
5. TIVA anaesthesia, continuous monitoring, and emergency preparedness
At KEIT Day Hospital, surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia are performed, according to the clinic's protocol, using TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia), a...
At KEIT Day Hospital, surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia are performed, according to the clinic's protocol, using TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia), a technique based on the intravenous administration of anaesthetic medications. Depending on the patient's characteristics and the anaesthetic protocol used, this technique may support recovery from anaesthesia and help reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting. During surgery, the anaesthetic team continuously monitors the patient's vital signs using General Electric equipment installed in all three operating theatres. The facility also has centralised systems for oxygen, compressed air, and medical suction, as well as difficult airway management devices, cardiac defibrillators, emergency medications, and backup power supplies for electricity and medical gases. To manage potential emergencies, KEIT Day Hospital has a postoperative resuscitation room equipped with a ventilator, multiparameter monitors, a defibrillator, intravenous infusion pumps, and other life-support equipment. According to the clinic's reported records, this room has not yet been used to treat major complications, but it remains fully equipped and ready for use in the event of unforeseen situations.
6. Personalised care and follow-up for up to one year after surgery
At KEIT Day Hospital, patient care continues after the surgical procedure has been completed. Patients generally spend one night in the hospital,...
At KEIT Day Hospital, patient care continues after the surgical procedure has been completed. Patients generally spend one night in the hospital, where they are monitored and cared for by healthcare staff. In particular circumstances, the hospital stay may be extended according to clinical needs. After discharge, each patient is supported by four professionals: a coordinator, a nurse responsible for wound dressings, a doctor, and the operating surgeon. Follow-up appointments are generally scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, allowing the medical team to monitor healing, identify potential problems, and assess how the surgical result develops. For mentoplasty, follow-up care includes assessing incision healing, swelling, sensation in the chin and lower lip, and changes in the facial profile. In patients who have undergone chin augmentation with an implant, the implant's position is also checked, while in cases involving bone reshaping, the stability of the treated structures and the bone healing process are monitored. For international patients, care may continue after they return to their home country through communication with the medical team and follow-up appointments scheduled according to individual needs. KEIT Day Hospital also provides patients with a 24-hour emergency contact number, available seven days a week, to request assistance if needed after surgery.
7. Official guarantee, transparency, and comprehensive medical documentation
One of the defining features of KEIT Day Hospital's services is its emphasis on transparency and documentation throughout the surgical process. A...
One of the defining features of KEIT Day Hospital's services is its emphasis on transparency and documentation throughout the surgical process. A complete medical record is prepared for every procedure, documenting preoperative assessments, the operation performed, the surgical techniques used, and information about postoperative recovery. The clinic also uses photographs taken before and after surgery to monitor the development of the surgical result, in accordance with personal data protection requirements and medical confidentiality. Every patient receives a service contract, a tax invoice, and an informed consent form, which is sent before surgery so they have sufficient time to review information about the procedure, potential risks, benefits, and treatment alternatives. KEIT Day Hospital also provides an Official Guarantee Certificate, which defines the clinic's responsibilities and the conditions under which expenses are covered in the event of complications during or after surgery, as specified in the document. The specific guarantee conditions are communicated to the patient before the operation, allowing them to understand the terms and limits of the coverage in advance.
Chin augmentation or reduction typically lasts between 1 and 2 hours, depending on whether an implant is placed or bone reshaping is performed. The use of advanced TIVA anesthesia ensures a smooth, controlled and comfortable surgical experience.
Is chin surgery painful?
No. Modern TIVA anesthesia keeps the patient fully comfortable throughout the procedure. After surgery, some swelling or tightness may occur, but these effects are mild and easily managed with prescribed medication.
How long is the stay after surgery?
Patients stay one night at KEIT Day Hospital under medical observation. This ensures early monitoring, safe recovery and proper management of post-operative comfort.
When will I see the final results?
Initial improvements are visible within the first weeks as swelling decreases. The final contour becomes clear between 2 and 3 months, once tissues fully adjust to the implant or bone modification.
Are the results permanent?
Yes. Chin implants offer stable, lifelong projection, while chin reduction provides a permanent reshaping of the bone. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle supports lasting, natural results.
Book a FREE, no-obligation chin surgery consultation!
Thank you! ✨
We've received your request. Our specialists will contact you shortly.
Thank you! ✨
We've received your request. Our specialists will contact you shortly.
Thank you! ✨
We've received your request. Your KEIT coordinator will contact you shortly.