CHIN BACK
Article published on 01/02/2025
“My chin is back.”
Many people seek medical help because of a receding chin or retrognathia. Retrognathia means a recessed lower jaw.
A receding chin can affect facial aesthetics, cause difficulty chewing, and lead to sleep disturbances.
A tilted chin can create an impression of imbalance in the facial profile. Seen from the side, the nose may appear particularly prominent. This can also stretch the lower lip. The most common aesthetic complaint cited by patients is sagging skin on the neck , with the lower face lacking definition. Unfortunately, this phenomenon will worsen with age.
This phenomenon is relatively common and affects both men and women. When the problem is purely aesthetic, men may grow a beard to hide their receding chin.
Patients request that the surgeon move their chin forward, lengthen it, or recenter it.
In reality, when a person says that their chin is tucked back, there are two very distinct situations:
The mental bone and cartilage are poorly developed
This does not cause chewing problems (the teeth are well aligned) or sleep apnea. The surgeon will suggest genioplasty . Chin surgery will involve grafting bone to the tip of the chin or implanting a titanium graft.
The lower jaw is underdeveloped
The impact on the face is greater, as the entire lower jaw is recessed. This will cause a discreet or absent chin and sagging of the skin on the neck and under the chin (double chin, etc.). This often leads to problems with misaligned teeth, snoring, and sleep apnea. The recessed jaw will require orthognathic surgery. This surgery will involve moving the entire lower jaw forward. The operation is more extensive.
How does the surgeon decide between genioplasty and jaw surgery?
The surgeon will ask the patient to take an X-ray to visualize how the facial bones have developed. From the side, the surgeon will look at the distance between the chin and the back of the face, as well as the angle formed by the lower jaw. From the front, he will check whether the jaw bones are symmetrical or if there is a deviation to the left or right. The surgeon will also observe the alignment of the teeth (sometimes it is the dentist who advises the patient to consult a dental or maxillofacial surgeon).
The assessment and management of these issues requires a comprehensive approach that considers both facial aesthetics and functionality. An accurate diagnosis is therefore essential to provide a solution tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
Finally, the surgeon will take into account the impact that the receding chin has on the person: is it only an aesthetic problem (loss of self-confidence, depression, etc.)? Is there any discomfort when eating? Does the patient suffer from sleep apnea? Is he a heavy snorer?
What operations for the chin back:
- Genioplasty with bone graft
- Genioplasty with titanium graft
- Mandible (lower jaw) surgery
- Bimaxillary surgery (lower and upper jaw)
- Hyaluronic acid injection: temporary solution that will make the chin plump up.
It is the surgeon who determines and recommends the most appropriate intervention. Sleep apnea and snoring can have other causes; sleep studies are sometimes recommended for patients who present with a receding jaw.
References:
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: https://www.joms.org/
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Receding chin, retrognathia, genioplasty. https://www.ajodo.org/