Alloplastic Chin Implants

Chin implants are composed of synthetic (alloplastic) materials such as silicone, PEEK and porous polyethylene (Medpor) - materials that provide a stable, long-lasting and natural-looking enhancement to the receding chin.

Chin implants augment areas of deficiency and increase the projection of the chin. Tapering into the mandibular bone to which they are attached, their function is to enhance facial contours and provide structural support to the overlying soft tissues

Biological implants made of bone and cartilage have been in use throughout the last century while synthetic implants have been used since the 1940’s. However, today's gold standard for chin augmentation is the use of synthetic alloplastic materials, which provides the firmness and tensile strength of bone. These implants are biologically inert and well-tolerated (biocompatible), and are designed to promote tissue in-growth and secure integration.

Biological implants

Although well-tolerated, biological material (bone graft) has a tendency to undergo resorption after implantation and therefore does not provide the same predictable contouring usually associated with alloplastic materials.

The biological component successfully used today for facial contouring is fat cells (fat grafting). This technique can be used to restore and volumise the soft tissues of the face. Fat grafting is often used by Dr Sorensen to further enhance the definition achieved with facial implants.

Alloplastic implants

Polyethylene has a long history for use as a surgical implant. Modern polyethylene implants are porous, strong and easily shaped. For this reason they are used in craniofacial reconstruction or for customised augmentation.

For aesthetic contouring, silicone rubber provides an advantageous combination of firmness and flexibility, enabling the implant to wrap around the lower edge of the mandible. Silicone implants come in a wide range of pre-formed shapes, which can be further refined during positioning, if required.