Answers at a Glance
What is genioplasty, and who is it right for?
Genioplasty (chin surgery) changes the jawline by cutting the chin bone and moving it forward, backward, up, or down, or by narrowing its width. A recessed chin is brought forward, a long chin is shortened, and a wide chin tip is narrowed with a T or Y osteotomy. Because your own bone is used instead of an implant, there is no foreign-body reaction, and the surgery is performed through the mouth without any incision in the facial skin. We first use 3D CT to determine whether the problem is only the chin tip or the position of the whole jaw (a case for orthognathic surgery).
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
- Surgery Time
- Approx. 1–1.5 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Hospital Stay
- 1–2 days
- Stitches
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 1–2 weeks
- Final contour
- 3–6 months
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- Those whose chin tip is set back and looks recessed
- Those whose long chin makes their face look long
- For those with a wide, blunt chin whose jawline does not come together
- Those whose chin tip is shifted to one side
- Those who were not satisfied with a previous chin implant surgery
Chin surgery, explained by Dr. Lee in videos
On the YouTube channel '안될 턱이 있나', Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions frequently asked in the consultation room. This collection includes only the videos related to genioplasty. Click to play in place.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
How do I choose a chin surgery method?
To reduce the "width" of the chin, a T-osteotomy is used; to adjust width and length together, a Y-osteotomy or modified Y-osteotomy; and to shorten a long chin while bringing it together, an inverted-V osteotomy. For a receding chin, the osteotomized chin is moved forward and fixed in place (advancement genioplasty).
What is inverted-V chin surgery?
This method cuts the lower chin bone in an inverted V shape to shorten the length while drawing the chin into a more pointed shape. It is used for those with a long, wide chin, and the osteotomy is made below the nerve canal.
Implants or osteotomy: which is better?
If only a small amount of advancement is needed and the bone shape is favorable, an implant is also an option. If length, width, and asymmetry all need to change together, or if the amount of movement is large, osteotomy is more suitable. Because implants carry a possibility of foreign-body reaction, bone resorption, and shifting, we tend to prefer osteotomy for the long term.
Can chin surgery fix a receding chin?
A receding chin with a normal bite can be improved with advancement genioplasty. When the entire lower jaw sits back and the bite does not fit together, moving only the chin forward has its limits, and orthognathic (double jaw) or lower jaw surgery is needed. Some patients who were not satisfied after previous chin surgery fall into this category.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend genioplasty is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, in his own words.
Contouring surgery is performed for aesthetic improvement rather than functional improvement, and it must be able to meet the patient's needs. That is why I always identify the patient's expectations accurately and judge whether contouring surgery can meet them.
The goals and direction the patient hopes to achieve through surgery must match the goals and direction of the surgeon performing it.
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
Facial bone surgery is not decided by appearance alone. At your first consultation, we record how your bones, teeth, and face relate to one another using the tests below, and first judge from that data whether surgery is needed.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| 3D CT (Large FOV CBCT) | We view the entire facial skeleton, along with the positions of nerves and tooth roots, in 3D. It can be taken on the day of your consultation. |
| Intraoral Scan · Dental Model | We digitally record how your upper and lower teeth fit together. |
| Facial Photos · Measurements | Using front, 45-degree, and side photos, we measure left-right differences and proportions. |
| 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) | On a 3D model that combines your CT, scans, photos, and models, Dr. Lee performs the surgery virtually first, and we review the expected changes together. |
What to Bring
- Referral from your orthodontist and orthodontic diagnosis records (if available)
- Previously taken CT, panoramic, and cephalometric images (records from other clinics are helpful too)
- Front and side-profile photos (to explain the changes you would like)
- Names of medications you are taking, systemic conditions, surgical history, and allergies
- Your school or vacation schedule, so we can plan surgery and recovery
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
Consultation · 3D CT
We determine whether the cause of your concern is bone or soft tissue, and measure bone thickness, nerve canal position, and left-right differences.
- 02
Design
On the 3D model, we plan the osteotomy lines and the amount of movement, and together we look at which changes would look natural within the proportions of your whole face.
- 03
Pre-Surgery Tests
Pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and an ECG. We check the medications you take and any systemic conditions.
- 04
Surgery · Hospitalization
1–1.5 hours per area under general anesthesia. After the recovery room, 1–2 days in a private room.
- 05
Follow-up
1-week band · 2-week stitch removal · 1 month · 3 months · 6 months · 1 year. Dr. Lee checks on you personally.
How Recovery and Aftercare Continue
Recovery after genioplasty generally follows the order below. The timeframes reflect an average course, and recovery speed varies from person to person.
| Timing | Condition and Care |
|---|---|
| Right after surgery – 1 week | Wear a compression band, apply ice packs, and keep your upper body elevated. Liquid to porridge-stage diet. |
| 2 – 4 weeks | Stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser care for residual swelling. |
| 1 – 3 months | Residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. |
| 6 months – 1 year | Final contour stabilizes. Pin removal if needed. |
The director who meets you at your consultation oversees your chin surgery from start to finish
At The Barunface, one person, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, handles the consultation, diagnosis, 3D surgical planning, surgery, inpatient rounds, and follow-up. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the surgeon who performs your surgery remembers the concerns and diagnosis from your first consultation, you can ask the same person directly about questions that arise during recovery, such as swelling, sensation, and bite after surgery. Since we are located in Seomyeon, you do not have to make long trips for each follow-up visit.
Before the actual surgery, I perform the surgery on a computer first. I try it one way and another, and think it through carefully. In the past, I could only imagine the jaw position and facial appearance after surgery in my head, but now I can see it directly in 3D, which helps me a great deal and helps patients understand the surgery much more easily.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
- Recovery
- Private inpatient room, swelling-care injections, Smartlux · LDM, Shurink
- Insurance
- Non-covered (VAT not included)
Genioplasty FAQ 13 questions
01How much does genioplasty cost in Busan?
According to The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, chin surgery is KRW 4,000,000 (VAT not included), Mini V-line surgery (square jaw + chin) is KRW 6,000,000 (VAT not included), and a chin implant (ready-made) is KRW 2,000,000 (VAT not included). Facial contouring surgery is not covered by insurance, and VAT is charged separately. Reference prices by area are published in the non-covered fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are additional. The exact cost will be explained after diagnosis. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is the recovery after chin surgery?
Return to daily life is usually 1–2 weeks. Right after surgery – Week 1: wearing a compression band, ice packs, keeping the upper body upright. Liquid-to-porridge diet. Weeks 2 – 4: stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser for residual swelling. Months 1 – 3: residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. Month 6 – Year 1: final contour settles. Pins are removed if needed. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of genioplasty?
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
04What are the anesthesia and hospitalization arrangements for genioplasty?
The procedure takes about 1–1.5 hours under general anesthesia, with a 1–2 day hospital stay. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, personally provides your care.
05Can I have chin surgery in Busan instead of Seoul?
We do not claim that we are unconditionally better than a large hospital in Seoul. However, at The Barunface in Seomyeon, Busan, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon trained at Seoul National University Dental Hospital and Asan Medical Center in Seoul personally handles your consultation, 3D surgical planning, surgery, private-room recovery, and follow-up care. If a problem arises after surgery, you can check directly with your operating surgeon nearby. Stories from patients who considered Seoul but chose Busan are on the 'Orthognathic Surgery: Do I Need to Go to Seoul?' page.
06Does sensation return after chin surgery?
Reduced sensation in the lower lip and chin is common, and most cases recover within several weeks to several months. In rare cases, some numbness may remain.
07How long is the surgery, and is hospitalization needed?
About 1 hour, with a hospital stay of around 1 day.
08Does chin surgery involve a skin incision?
We approach from inside the mouth without cutting the facial skin. The degree of recovery varies from person to person.
09Can a chin implant be removed and replaced with an osteotomy?
Yes, it is possible. Implant removal and osteotomy are often done in a single surgery.
10How much does chin surgery cost?
According to the fee schedule, chin surgery is KRW 4,000,000 (VAT not included), a ready-made chin implant is KRW 2,000,000, and a custom 3D implant is KRW 3,000,000.
11Are the pins removed after chin surgery?
Most small plates are left in place. If they cause discomfort, they can be removed after 6 months.
12What is the recovery period?
Swelling lasts 1–2 weeks, stitches are removed at 2 weeks, and the final contour settles in 3–6 months.
13Can chin asymmetry be corrected too?
The cut chin bone is moved to align with the midline for correction. Asymmetry in which the whole jaw is rotated is a case for orthognathic (double jaw) surgery.
Genioplasty Cases
These photos are published with the patients' consent. Photographing conditions may not be exactly the same, and results vary from person to person.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Chin surgery | 40010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| Mini V-line surgery (square jaw + chin) | 60010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| Chin Implant (Ready-Made) | 20010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| Chin Implant (3D Custom) | 30010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Facial contouring surgery is not covered by insurance (non-reimbursed), and VAT is charged separately. Base prices for each area are published in the non-reimbursed fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are added. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed