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Surgical technique of mandibular implant insertion
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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The chin implants described here can be placed either intraorally or through a submental incision. The basic equipment consists of a Bernstein nasal retractor, fine blunt dissectors, straight forceps, and isotonic saline gentamicin to soak the implant prior to insertion. The submental incision is made anterior to the submental fold; the superficial tissues, muscle, and periosteum are divided to expose the central portion of the chin. Dissection is then performed in the subperiosteal plane.
One hand is placed on the dissector and the other is guiding the instrument from the outside, thus preventing any movement above the border of the intended pocket. The pocket dissection in the lateral direction should be performed approximately 6 cm from the midline and below the level of the mental foramen. After the pocket has been transformed, the implant is removed from the gentamicin solution and inserted into the pocket with a clamp.
After inserting half of the implant, it is folded at an acute angle and directed with clamps and a retractor to the opposite side of the pocket. Then the uniformity of the implant placement on the jaw and the absence of curvatures at the ends are checked. The implant has multiple holes and a blue mark indicating the middle of the implant. The holes allow the ingrowth of connective tissue, which stabilizes the implant. The blue mark helps the surgeon install the implant symmetrically.
The implant is fixed to the periosteum with prolene sutures; the muscle and superficial tissues are sutured over it. Moreover, the muscle and subcutaneous tissue are carefully sutured separately. The results of chin augmentation are assessed in lateral and oblique projections.
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