Why Patients Seek Removal
Six Reasons Patients Come to Dr. Karamanoukian for Chin Implant Removal
Implant migration
A chin implant that migrates from its original position creates visible asymmetry or an unnatural contour. The chin may look off to one side or the implant edge may become palpable under the skin in the wrong location. Removal and pocket correction address both the aesthetic problem and the mechanical cause of the shift.
Infection
Chin implant infection can present as redness, warmth, swelling, and pain around the chin weeks, months, or even years after the original surgery. In some cases an abscess forms or the implant begins to extrude through the skin or oral mucosa. Infected implants must be removed promptly. Dr. Karamanoukian sees infected chin implant patients urgently and performs removal and irrigation the same week.
nerve numbness
Some patients develop persistent numbness, tingling, or altered sensation in the lower lip, chin skin, or teeth after chin implant placement. This happens when the implant presses on or sits too close to the mental nerve. Removing or repositioning the implant often allows the nerve to recover over several months.
Bone Erosion
Long-standing chin implants can cause gradual resorption of the chin bone beneath them as the implant transmits pressure to the underlying bone over years. This is visible on CT imaging as a shallow indentation or depression in the chin bone. Dr. Karamanoukian discusses the CT findings at consultation and plans removal accordingly, with fat grafting or volumizing available to address the contour change.
The Result Does Not Look Natural
Some patients feel their chin implant made the chin look artificial, too projected, or like an obviously added structure rather than a natural part of the face. This is most common when the implant chosen was too large for the underlying facial anatomy. Removal and replacement with a smaller implant or fat grafting can achieve a more natural outcome.
revision surgery
Some patients simply no longer want the implant they received years ago. Aesthetic preferences change. A chin implant placed in the 2000s or 2010s that reflected beauty standards of that era may feel out of step with what the patient wants today. Removal is a valid choice and Dr. Karamanoukian approaches every patient who has changed their mind with the same care he gives to medically urgent cases.
Signs of chin implant infection to watch for: pain that is getting worse rather than better, new redness or warmth around the chin, swelling that is increasing, a visible bump or fluid collection under the chin skin, or any discharge from the chin incision or inside the mouth. If you notice these signs call (310) 998-5533 immediately. Infected implants should not wait for a routine appointment.
"I see patients for chin implant removal who have been living with a result that bothers them for years because they were told it was too complicated to remove or that the risk was too high. Chin implant removal is a straightforward procedure in experienced hands. The mental nerve needs to be respected, the pocket needs to be addressed properly, and the outcome is almost always better than the patient expected before surgery."
— Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Kare Plastic Surgery, Santa Monica
Not sure whether to remove or replace your implant? Some patients who are unhappy with their current chin implant are better served by exchanging it for a different size or shape rather than removing it entirely. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each situation individually and gives an honest opinion about whether removal alone, replacement, or fat grafting to the chin area will produce the best result for your specific face. The goal is always what looks most natural for you.
Authority Page · Kare Plastic Surgery & Skin Health Center Removal of Facial Implants in Los Angeles →
The complete facial implant removal guide at Kare Plastic Surgery — chin implants, cheek implants, jaw implants, and infected facial implants removed by UCLA-trained dual board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian in Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a chin implant removed in Los Angeles?
Kare Plastic Surgery at 804 7th Street in Santa Monica near Montana Avenue offers expert chin implant and cheek implant removal by UCLA-trained dual board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian. Infected, shifted, or unwanted implants removed through either a submental incision hidden in the chin crease or an intraoral approach with no external scar. Call (310) 998-5533. We serve patients from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and all of Los Angeles.
Does removing a chin implant leave a visible scar?
Not when the procedure is done correctly. Dr. Karamanoukian uses either a small incision placed in the natural shadow crease under the chin where it is invisible in daily appearance, or an intraoral incision inside the mouth with no external scar at all. The approach he recommends for each patient depends on the size of the implant, the reason for removal, and whether there are any complications like infection or migration that affect the best surgical approach. He discusses the recommended approach and expected healing at your consultation.
Can a chin implant be removed and replaced at the same surgery?
Yes, in most cases where removal is being done for aesthetic reasons or because the implant shifted. The existing pocket is used, the original implant is removed, and a new implant of a different size or profile is placed in the same surgery. When removal is being done for infection, replacement at the same surgery is generally not recommended. Dr. Karamanoukian advises waiting until the infection has fully cleared before placing any new implant material, typically several months after removal and antibiotic treatment. He explains the specific recommendation for your situation at consultation.
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