Answers at a Glance
What a recessed chin is, How is it treated?
A receding chin is a condition where the tip of the chin sits back, so the jawline looks undefined in profile and the mouth appears to protrude. When the bite is normal, it is improved with genioplasty (advancement genioplasty), which moves the chin bone forward. When the whole lower jaw sits too far back and the bite does not fit (skeletal Class II), the jaw is moved forward with orthognathic (double jaw) surgery or mandibular advancement. People with a small lower jaw often have a narrow airway, so surgery that moves the jaw forward can also help functionally.
- Operating Surgeon
- Board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee (20+ years in oral & maxillofacial surgery, about 15 years focused on orthognathic and contouring surgery)
- Diagnosis · Planning
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT), intraoral scanner, 3D VSP software, in-house 3D printing
- Anesthesia · Safety
- General anesthesia operating room · recovery room, anesthesiologist, BIS, respiratory and CO₂ monitoring, emergency equipment, UPS
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
Request a Consultation Consultation Prep Card13 frequently asked questions
- Surgery Time
- About 3–4 hours (longer for combined procedures)
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia · Managed by an anesthesiologist
- Hospital Stay
- 1–3 days in a private room
- Suture Removal
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 2–3 weeks (varies by individual)
- Pin Removal
- 6–12 months after surgery (if needed)
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 sits back in profile, making the mouth look protruded
- People whose chin wrinkles and tenses when they close their mouth
- Those whose upper teeth cover the lower teeth a lot (Class II malocclusion)
- Those who feel the limits of chin fillers or implants
- People who have snoring or sleep apnea along with a small jaw
Receding Chin: Dr. Lee Explains in Video
On the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he often receives in the consultation room. This collection includes only the videos related to a recessed chin. Click to play them right here.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
What types of receding chin are there?
There are two types: ① a receding chin with a normal bite where only the chin tip sits back, and ② a receding chin where the whole lower jaw is small and set back, so the bite does not fit. The surgical method is completely different depending on the type.
How is the surgery done?
If the problem is only the chin, we perform chin advancement, in which the chin bone is cut, moved forward, and fixed in place. If the problem involves the whole lower jaw, we move the jaw forward with mandibular advancement (SSRO) or orthognathic (double jaw) surgery.
Which is better: an implant or bone cutting?
For a small advancement, an implant is also possible. However, osteotomy, which moves your own bone, causes no foreign-body reaction or bone resorption and also lets us adjust length and direction, so we prefer it for long-term results. We will explain based on your condition.
Does moving the jaw forward make breathing easier?
For people with a narrow airway due to a small lower jaw, moving the jaw forward may widen the airway. If you have snoring or sleep apnea, please tell us during your consultation. However, we do not recommend surgery solely for the purpose of treating sleep apnea.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend surgery for a receding chin is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, in Dr. Lee's own words.
The "gains" from surgery, such as improved function or aesthetics, must always outweigh the price (the "losses") that must be paid for undergoing surgery.
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
First Consultation · 3D CT Scan
We measure the skeleton, bite, airway, and asymmetry using facial photos, 3D CT, an intraoral scan, and dental models. We will honestly tell you, first of all, whether your face needs surgery.
- 02
Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP)
Dr. Lee personally determines the amount and direction of jaw movement on the 3D model, and explains the expected facial changes with 3D images.
- 03
Pre-Surgery Tests · Collaboration with Orthodontics
We perform pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and an ECG, and coordinate the timing of surgery and bite goals with your orthodontist. The surgical guide (wafer) is 3D-printed in-house.
- 04
Surgery · Hospitalization
After 3–4 hours of surgery under general anesthesia, you pass through the recovery room and stay 1–3 days in a private room. A guardian may also stay by your side, within reasonable limits.
- 05
Follow-Up After Discharge
Dr. Lee personally checks in at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. If needed, the fixation pins are removed after 6–12 months.
How Recovery and Aftercare Continue
Recovery after receding chin surgery generally proceeds in the order below. The timeline reflects an average course, and recovery speed varies from person to person.
| Timing | Condition and Care |
|---|---|
| Right after surgery – 3 days | Pain and swelling management during your hospital stay, ice packs, and keeping your upper body raised. Swelling-control injections and regenerative laser are applied depending on your condition. |
| 1 – 2 weeks | Liquid diet, oral rinsing, and light walks. Stitches are removed around the 2-week mark. This is when swelling visibly decreases. |
| 3 – 6 weeks | Gradually moving to soft foods and returning to daily life. Your orthodontist resumes post-surgery orthodontic treatment. |
| 3 months – 1 year | Residual swelling and sensation recover gradually. After the bone has firmly healed, the fixation plates are removed if needed. |
The same doctor who consults with you oversees your recessed chin care 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
- Board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee (20+ years in oral & maxillofacial surgery, about 15 years focused on orthognathic and contouring surgery)
- Diagnosis · Planning
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT), intraoral scanner, 3D VSP software, in-house 3D printing
- Anesthesia · Safety
- General anesthesia operating room · recovery room, anesthesiologist, BIS, respiratory and CO₂ monitoring, emergency equipment, UPS
- Hospitalization · Recovery
- 4 private single-patient inpatient rooms on a separate floor, central patient monitoring, Smartlux · LDM · Shurink recovery programs
- Insurance
- Not covered by insurance (some coverage criteria, such as for congenital deformities, will be explained during consultation)
Recessed Chin FAQ 13 questions
01How much does receding chin treatment cost in Busan?
Based on The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, mandibular surgery is KRW 9,000,000, orthognathic (double jaw) surgery is KRW 14,000,000, and chin surgery is KRW 4,000,000 (VAT not included). Orthognathic (double jaw) surgery is a non-covered treatment. The surgery fee varies depending on the scope of surgery (double jaw, mandible, or combined) and on anesthesia, hospitalization, and testing items, and will be provided in writing after diagnosis. You can check the standard amounts in the non-covered fee schedule on our website. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long does recovery from receding chin surgery take?
Returning to daily life usually takes 2–3 weeks (varies by individual). Immediately after surgery – Day 3: Pain and swelling management during hospitalization, ice packs, upper body kept upright. Swelling-control injections and regenerative laser are applied depending on your condition. Weeks 1–2: Liquid diet, oral rinsing, light walks. Stitches are removed around week 2. This is when swelling noticeably decreases. Weeks 3–6: Progress to soft foods and return to social life. Orthodontic treatment resumes with your orthodontist after surgery. Month 3 – Year 1: Residual swelling and sensation gradually recover. After the bone has firmly healed, the fixation pins are removed if necessary. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of receding chin surgery?
After orthognathic surgery, there may be reduced sensation in the lip and chin area (mostly recovering within several months, rarely persisting), bleeding, infection, swelling and bruising, jaw joint discomfort, changes in bite, plate-related problems, and the possibility of reoperation. There are also risks associated with general anesthesia. Results and recovery speed vary from person to person, so please make your decision carefully after receiving a thorough explanation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory abnormalities, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of reoperation, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy during your consultation.
04How are anesthesia and hospitalization handled for a recessed chin?
Surgery takes about 3–4 hours (longer for combined procedures), under general anesthesia managed by an anesthesiologist, followed by a 1–3 day stay in a private room. At The Barunface, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee personally treats every patient.
05Can I have receding 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.
06How long is receding chin surgery, and is a hospital stay needed?
Genioplasty (chin advancement) takes about 1 hour with 1 day of hospitalization; mandibular advancement takes 2–3 hours with 1–2 days of hospitalization; and orthognathic (double jaw) surgery takes 3–4 hours with 1–3 days of hospitalization.
07Can't chin filler solve it?
A very mild receding chin can be improved with fillers, but the effect is short-lived and a large amount can look unnatural. If the cause is the bone, surgery is the fundamental solution.
08Can a recessed chin be corrected with orthodontics alone?
A receding chin that looks that way because the teeth protrude may be improved with orthodontics. For a skeletal receding chin, orthodontics alone does not change the position of the jaw.
09What about sensation after surgery?
Reduced sensation in the chin and lower lip is common, and most cases recover within several months.
10What about the cost?
The base prices are KRW 4,000,000 for chin surgery (VAT not included), KRW 9,000,000 for lower jaw surgery, and KRW 14,000,000 for orthognathic (double jaw) surgery. Anesthesia and hospitalization fees are separate.
11What if I have both a protruding mouth and a receding chin?
If a protruding upper jaw and a small lower jaw occur together, we combine orthognathic (double jaw) surgery or protrusion surgery (ASO) with chin advancement.
12Will my chin look too prominent after surgery?
Using 3D simulation, we decide the amount of movement while looking at the nose–lip–chin line. Excessive advancement is avoided.
13Can it come back?
If the lower jaw is advanced by a large amount, part of it may relapse, so fixation and post-surgery orthodontics are important.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Lower Jaw Surgery | 90010,000 KRW |
| Orthognathic (Double Jaw) Surgery | 1,40010,000 KRW |
| Chin surgery | 40010,000 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
Orthognathic surgery is a non-covered (not covered by national health insurance) treatment. The surgery fee varies depending on the scope of surgery (double jaw, lower jaw, combined) and the anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination items, and is provided in writing after diagnosis. You can check the standard amounts in the non-covered fee schedule on our website. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After orthognathic surgery, there may be reduced sensation in the lip and chin area (mostly recovering within several months, rarely persisting), bleeding, infection, swelling and bruising, jaw joint discomfort, changes in bite, plate-related problems, and the possibility of reoperation. There are also risks associated with general anesthesia. Results and recovery speed vary from person to person, so please make your decision carefully after receiving a thorough explanation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory abnormalities, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of reoperation, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy 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