Sliding Genioplasty (Chin Repositioning Surgery)
When your chin sits in better balance with the rest of your face, the jawline often looks cleaner and your profile more harmonious, in a way that still looks like you.
Is this right for you?
Sliding genioplasty moves the chin bone itself, rather than placing an implant on top of the bone. For that reason, it suits people who want to change the position of the bone — bringing the chin forward, setting it back, raising it, or shifting it sideways — more than simply adding volume. A consultation helps your surgeon decide whether this is the right choice for you.
This may be a good fit if
- You feel your chin is recessed (set too far back) or projects too far, throwing your profile out of balance, and your goals relate to the position of the bone
- Your chin sits off to one side, and you would like to bring it back toward the midline
- Your chin is too long or too short in the vertical direction compared with the rest of your face
- You are an adult, your facial bones have finished growing, and your general health allows for surgery under anaesthesia
- You hold realistic expectations and understand that this is surgery on the bone, which needs time to heal
This may not be right if
- You only want a small amount of added volume — in that case a chin implant or your own fat graft may be gentler, and your surgeon will talk through these options with you
- Your facial bones are still growing and have not yet matured
- You have a health condition that is not yet well controlled, a bleeding disorder, or an active dental or oral infection that needs treatment first
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or your goals are not yet clear and need more time to think through
How it works
Everything begins with a consultation. Your surgeon listens to what is on your mind, examines your face and your bite, and may take an X-ray to see the chin bone and the position of the nerve clearly. From there, your surgeon discusses which direction to move the bone and by how much, and is honest about what the surgery can and cannot do in your case.
The surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthesia, or local anaesthesia combined with sedation. The incision is normally made inside the mouth, in the fold of the lower lip, so it leaves no scar on the skin of your face. Through this opening, your surgeon exposes the chin bone.
Your surgeon uses specialised instruments to cut a segment of the chin bone (this is called an osteotomy), then moves that segment to the position you agreed on: forward, back, up, or shifted to centre it. The bone segment is held in place with small specialised plates and screws so it stays in the right position while it heals. The incision inside the mouth is then closed, usually with dissolvable stitches.
The whole operation usually takes around 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much correction is needed. You may be monitored in hospital for a time afterwards; whether you stay overnight depends on the type of anaesthesia and your condition.
Realistic expectations
Sliding genioplasty aims to improve the position and balance of the chin within your face as a whole. The goal is a result that looks harmonious and suits you, not a fixed mould. There are things this procedure does not set out to do, and saying so plainly from the start should help you feel more settled.
What this will not do
- It will not give you a different face — the goal is to rebalance your own chin
- It will not change your nose, your cheeks, or other areas; each area needs its own plan
- It cannot always take the place of bite treatment; if a misaligned bite is the main issue, your surgeon may suggest a different path
- It will not stop the natural ageing of your skin and soft tissue over time
Recovery
Recovery happens in stages, and it is different for everyone. Because this is surgery on the bone, swelling and a feeling of tightness are common in the first few days, then ease over time. The points below are rough estimates to help you picture the path, not exact figures for you alone.
- The first few days
- Swelling and bruising around the chin and lower lip, sometimes spreading down to the neck; a numb feeling across the chin and lower lip is fairly common. You will usually eat soft or liquid food and keep your mouth clean gently, following the guidance you are given.
- Around 1 to 2 weeks
- Swelling eases noticeably, and the stitches inside the mouth gradually settle. Many people consider returning to office work during this stage if they feel comfortable.
- Around 3 to 6 weeks
- You gradually return to your usual routine; strenuous activity and anything that could knock the face are usually limited until your surgeon gives the go-ahead.
- Around 2 to 3 months
- The remaining swelling continues to settle and the contours become clearer. Any numbness, if it is still there, usually improves over this stage.
- Around 6 months to 1 year
- The bone heals and settles, and the result comes close to its final shape. Some small changes in sensation may need a little more time.
Risks & safety
Every surgery carries risk, and you deserve to hear it straight. Most of these problems do not happen to most people, but you should know about them so you can weigh your decision and spot them early if they do arise. Your surgeon will talk through the specifics for your situation.
- Numbness or a change in sensation in the chin, lower lip, and gums, because of the nerve that runs near the surgical area; this is usually temporary, but it can sometimes last a long time or not fully recover
- Bleeding, a collection of blood (haematoma), or infection at the surgical site
- Swelling and bruising that lasts longer than expected
- The bone segment healing out of position, the plates and screws shifting, or a result that is less balanced than hoped, which sometimes needs a further procedure
- A change in sensation, or a risk of affecting the roots of the teeth near the chin
- Scarring inside the mouth, which rarely affects how things look on the outside because the incision sits within the mouth
- Risks related to anaesthesia or sedation, which the anaesthetist assesses separately before surgery
How we do it
At The Gioi Dep, surgery on the chin bone starts with a careful examination and plan. The surgeons assess your face, your bite, and the position of the nerve before discussing which way to move the bone, so the plan fits your real structure rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all mould.
Because this is surgery under anaesthesia that affects the bone, the surgeons talk openly with you about the choice of anaesthesia, how the bone is held in place, and the follow-up afterwards. You are guided on how to care for the incision inside your mouth, what to eat, when to come back for review, and how to reach the team when you need to.
Frequently asked questions
Is the surgery very painful?
During surgery you feel no pain, thanks to the anaesthesia. Afterwards, what you usually feel is tightness, swelling, and an aching around the chin, rather than severe pain; pain relief taken as prescribed helps keep this under control. The discomfort eases over the first few days.
Will it leave a scar on my face?
The incision is normally made inside the mouth, in the fold of the lower lip, so it leaves no visible scar on the skin of your face. There are stitches inside the mouth, usually dissolvable, and these heal over time. Your surgeon will explain this carefully during your consultation.
How much time off work will I need?
Many people consider returning to office work after around 1 to 2 weeks, once the swelling has eased and they feel comfortable. Heavier work, or work where the face could be knocked, usually needs longer. This is a rough estimate, not a fixed figure.
Will the result look natural?
The goal is to rebalance your own chin within your face as a whole, so your profile looks more harmonious while still looking like you. Because it moves the bone itself, the change is tied to your real structure. No one can promise a specific result, and results vary from person to person.
Will the numbness in my chin and lip go away?
Numbness or a change in sensation in the chin and lower lip is fairly common after surgery, because of the nerve that runs near this area. Most of it improves over a few weeks to a few months, but it can sometimes last longer or not fully recover. You should talk this through with your surgeon.
How is sliding genioplasty different from a chin implant?
A chin implant places a piece of material on the bone to add volume. Sliding genioplasty cuts and moves the chin bone itself, so it can correct the direction too — forward, back, up, down, or sideways. Depending on your goals and your structure, your surgeon will advise which option suits you better.
Can I still have this done if I am older?
What matters is your general health and the state of your bone, more than the number of your age. Your surgeon and the anaesthetist will assess you before surgery to see whether it is safe for you. Please share your full medical history during the consultation.
How do I eat after surgery?
Because the incision is inside the mouth, in the first few days you will usually eat soft or liquid food and keep your mouth clean gently, following the guidance you are given. You gradually return to eating normally as the wound settles.
How long until I see the final result?
Swelling eases noticeably over the first few weeks, but the contours keep settling over a few months. The bone usually heals and settles over around 6 months to 1 year, and that is when the result comes close to its final shape.
Will the plates and screws need to be removed later?
The small plates and screws hold the bone in the right position while it heals, and they are usually left in place for the long term. Only in some cases is a further procedure needed. Your surgeon will explain the specific plan for you.
The next step
The next step is a conversation - book a consultation.
The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.