Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/a-2631-5508
Surgical Chin Reduction: Achieving a Balanced Result

Abstract
Aim and Background
The chin plays a critical role in establishing facial balance and proportions. Abnormalities of chin projection, height, width, and symmetry can affect perioral aesthetics, gender alignment, and aging.
Historical Aspects
Patients who present for aesthetic perioral enhancement should have a complete evaluation of the perioral bony anatomy. Chin excess may occur in the horizontal, vertical, and transverse dimensions. Surgical chin contouring may require both deprojection and shortening.
Techniques
The technique for both horizontal and vertical chin reduction will be reviewed in addition to complications.
Conclusion
The chin is a critical component of facial harmony and should be evaluated and addressed during aesthetic enhancement and rejuvenation.
Publication History
Accepted Manuscript online:
10 June 2025
Article published online:
27 June 2025
© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA
-
References
- 1 Sykes JM, Suárez GA. Chin advancement, augmentation, and reduction as adjuncts to rhinoplasty. Clin Plast Surg 2016; 43 (01) 295-306
- 2 Papel I, Frodel J, Holt GR. et al Orthognathic surgery. In: Paperl I, Nachlas NE. eds Facial plastics and reconstructive surgery. St Louis: Mosby; 1992: 844-863
- 3 Sykes JM, Frodel J. Mentoplasty. In: Cummings CW. ed Otolaryngology head and neck surgery. St Louis: Mosby; 1992: 737-753
- 4 Sykes JM. Aesthetic correction of chin deformities--bony genioplasty. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2002; 26 (Suppl. 01) S2
- 5 Merrifield LL. The profile line as an aid in critically evaluating facial esthetics. Am J Orthod 1966; 52 (11) 804-822
- 6 Legan HL, Burstone CJ. Soft tissue cephalometric analysis for orthognathic surgery. J Oral Surg 1980; 38 (10) 744-751
- 7 Burstone CJ. Lip posture and its significance in treatment planning. Am J Orthod 1967; 53 (04) 262-284
- 8 Rakosi T. An Atlas and Manual of Cephalometric Radiography. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1982
- 9 Ricketts RM. Esthetics, environment, and the law of lip relation. Am J Orthod 1968; 54 (04) 272-289
- 10 Steiner CC. Cephalometrics in clinical practice. Angle Orthod 1959; 29 (01) 8-29
- 11 Gonzalez-Ulloa M. Surgical improvement of the facial profile. Plast Reconstr Surg 1960; 25 (02) 123-130
- 12 Zide BM, Longaker MT. Chin surgery: II. Submental ostectomy and soft-tissue excision. Plast Reconstr Surg 1999; 104 (06) 1854-1860 , discussion 1861–1862
- 13 Uckan S, Soydan S, Veziroglu F, Ozcirpici AA. Transverse reduction genioplasty to reduce width of the chin: indications, technique, and results. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2010; 68 (06) 1432-1437
- 14 Park S, Noh JH. Importance of the chin in lower facial contour: narrowing genioplasty to achieve a feminine and slim lower face. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008; 122 (01) 261-268
- 15 Zide BM, Warren SM, Spector JA. Chin surgery IV: the large chin--key parameters for successful chin reduction. Plast Reconstr Surg 2007; 120 (02) 530-537
- 16 Ward JL, Garri JI, Wolfe SA. The osseous genioplasty. Clin Plast Surg 2007; 34 (03) 485-500
- 17 Lee EI. Aesthetic alteration of the chin. Semin Plast Surg 2013; 27 (03) 155-160
- 18 Findikcioglu K, Sibar S, Gulsen A. Treatment approach to severe microgenia cases: combined use of osseous and implant genioplasty. J Craniofac Surg 2018; 29 (02) e175-e179
- 19 Shah Mardan QNM, Almonaie S, Qurashi AAA, Mrad MA. Chin reduction made simpler. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2023; 11 (09) e5263
- 20 Sullivan SM, Fonseca RJ. Genial Procedures. In: Fonseca RJ. ed Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2000: 403-415
- 21 Reyneke JP. Surgical Technique: Genioplasty. In: Essentials of Orthognathic Surgery. Tokyo: Quintessence; 2003: 293-296
- 22 Thorne CH, Sinno S. Operative Techniques in Facial Aesthetic Surgery. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019
- 23 Park SH. Aesthetic Osseous Genioplasty. In: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Asians: Principles & Techniques. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2016. :Chapter 61
- 24 Park SH, Chung SI. Mandible Reduction. In: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of the East Asian Face. New York: Thieme; 2016. :Chapter 20