Chin Reduction Surgery: Procedure, Recovery, Risks, and Who It's For
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 31, 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is chin reduction surgery?
Chin reduction surgery is an outpatient operation that shaves or cuts away part of the chin bone to make a long, wide, or protruding chin smaller and more balanced with the rest of the face. It takes one to three hours under general anesthesia, and most people return to solid food and activity within two weeks. [1]
What the research says
Most people who had a chin reduction rated their result as good. In a 25-year series of 47 patients who had 49 chin reduction procedures, 28 of the 36 people followed up for an average of 2.5 years (78%) rated their outcome as very good or good. Temporary nerve symptoms were common and happened more often when the cut was made inside the mouth, and 5 patients needed a minor fix for skin dents along the jawline. (Niechajev, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2020) [2]
Serious problems after chin reduction were rare in a large review. A systematic review of 12 studies (1,417 patients) of chin surgery during facial feminization found that reduction genioplasty was the most common technique. Complications occurred in 0.55% of cases (mostly infections, 0.48%), only 2.67% needed a revision, and patient-reported satisfaction was high. (Gursky et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025) [3]
Temporary chin numbness is the main trade-off of chin bone surgery. Across 54 studies of chin surgery, the 885 people who had their chin bone cut and moved (osteotomy) had an overall complication rate of 19.7%, which included temporary injury to the nerve that gives the chin and lower lip feeling in 16.4%. (Oranges et al., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2023) [4]
Key takeaways
Chin reduction surgery is also called chin shaving surgery or mentoplasty.
It treats a chin that is too long, too wide, or juts out too far past the nose.
The best candidates don't smoke, are healthy, have finished growing, and have well-aligned teeth.
Surgery takes 1–3 hours under general anesthesia; most people go home the same day.
Expect a soft diet, rest, and dressings for the first 2–3 days, and swelling or tight chin skin for up to 14 days.
Main risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, scarring, and numbness around the chin or jaw.
Chin reduction surgery at a glance
Feature | What to expect |
Other names | Chin shaving surgery, mentoplasty |
Goal | Reduce the length, width, or overall size of the chin |
Anesthesia | General (you're asleep) |
Operation time | 1–3 hours |
Hospital stay | Usually none — you go home the same day |
Incision | Inside the mouth, under the chin, or both |
Early recovery | Days 2–3: soft or liquid diet, rest, dressings |
Return to normal | Days 7–14: solid food and activity, with approval |
What is chin reduction surgery?
Chin reduction surgery is a procedure that decreases the length, width, or overall size of your chin so it looks more balanced with your other facial features.
You might consider it if you feel your chin is very long, very wide, or sticks out too far past your nose. Surgeons may call it chin shaving surgery or mentoplasty. In most people it's a cosmetic procedure, but some have it for medical reasons, such as jaw or teeth problems.
Who needs chin reduction surgery?
Chin reduction surgery is used for people whose chin bone or jaw is larger or more prominent than they want it to be. Common reasons include:
Condition | What it means |
Congenital chin or jaw deformity | A chin bone or jaw shape present from birth |
Macrogenia | A large chin |
Prognathism | A jaw that sticks out |
"Witch's chin" | A common name for a prominent chin shape |
If your chin is part of a wider jaw or bite problem, your provider may look at your whole jaw, not just the chin. Our guide to retrognathia (receding chin) covers the opposite problem — a chin that sits too far back.
Who is a good candidate for chin reduction surgery?
The ideal candidate for chin reduction surgery is a healthy adult who doesn't smoke and has realistic expectations about the result.
In more detail, a good candidate:
Doesn't smoke. If you do, your provider may suggest a plan to quit before surgery. See our guide to nicotine replacement therapy.
Has realistic expectations about what the surgery can change.
Has reached full skeletal maturity, meaning the bones have stopped growing (usually early adulthood).
Is physically healthy overall.
Has good teeth alignment.
How is chin reduction surgery different from chin augmentation?
Chin reduction surgery makes the chin smaller, while chin augmentation makes the chin larger, more prominent, or more defined.
Chin reduction | Chin augmentation | |
Goal | Make the chin smaller | Make the chin bigger or more defined |
Main method | Shaving or cutting away chin bone | Usually a chin implant; sometimes your own jawbone |
Typical reason | Long, wide, or protruding chin | Small or weak chin |
If you want a bigger chin instead, read our guide to genioplasty (chin augmentation and reshaping).
Can chin reduction surgery be combined with other procedures?
Chin reduction surgery can be combined with other face and jaw procedures when your goals call for it. Your provider may suggest pairing it with:
Double chin surgery
Facial feminization surgery
Facial reconstructive surgery
Neck lift
Keep in mind that combining procedures can change your recovery, since recovery depends partly on whether other surgery was done at the same time.
How do you prepare for chin reduction surgery?
Preparing for chin reduction surgery means following your provider's detailed instructions, which often include medicine changes, tests, and imaging. Your provider may:
Ask you to stop certain medicines, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin.
Order blood tests to make sure you're healthy enough for surgery.
Take X-rays or other scans of your chin and jaw to plan the operation.
Recommend a plan to quit smoking.
Take photos of your chin to compare with your results later.
What happens during chin reduction surgery?
During chin reduction surgery, the surgeon reshapes your chin bone while you're asleep under general anesthesia. The operation takes about one to three hours.
Step by step, your surgeon:
Makes an incision inside your mouth, under your chin, or both.
Removes bone by shaving or cutting away part of the chin bone with surgical tools.
Shapes the chin so it's symmetrical with your other facial features.
Closes the incision with stitches.
Because you're fully asleep, you don't feel pain during the procedure. Learn more in our guide to anesthesia types, safety, and recovery.
What happens after chin reduction surgery?
After chin reduction surgery, most people go home the same day because it's usually an outpatient procedure.
Before you leave, your provider will give you specific instructions on mouth care and on cleaning and caring for your incision. Follow them closely — they're tailored to where your incision was made.
What are the benefits of chin reduction surgery?
The main benefit of chin reduction surgery is a more balanced, symmetrical look between the chin and the rest of the face.
When it's combined with jaw surgery, it may also help ease discomfort from an overbite or other malocclusion (misaligned teeth).
What are the risks of chin reduction surgery?
Chin reduction surgery is considered a relatively safe outpatient procedure, but like any surgery it carries risks.
Risk | What it means for you |
Allergic reaction to anesthesia | A reaction to the medicines used to put you to sleep |
Bleeding | Blood loss during or after surgery |
Blood clots | Clots that can form after surgery (learn the warning signs) |
Infection | Germs entering the incision |
Numbness | Loss of feeling around the chin or jaw |
Scarring | A visible mark where the incision healed |
What is recovery like after chin reduction surgery?
Recovery after chin reduction surgery is different for everyone, and it depends on your age, overall health, and whether other procedures were done at the same time.
Time after surgery | What's typical |
Same day | Go home with mouth-care and incision-care instructions |
About days 2–3 | Soft food or liquid diet; rest and avoid physical activity; wear dressings over the incision; chin and lower face feel sore or tender |
About days 7–14 | Some swelling or slight bruising in the lower face; chin skin may feel stretched or tight; return to regular activity and solid food — only with your provider's approval |
When should you call a doctor after chin reduction surgery?
You should call your healthcare provider after chin reduction surgery if you notice any of these warning signs:
Fever or other flu-like symptoms
Numbness in your face
Severe pain in your chin, jaw, face, or head
Shortness of breath
Signs of an incision infection, such as pus or foul-smelling drainage
Conclusion
Chin reduction surgery can make a long, wide, or protruding chin smaller and bring your face into better balance. It's usually a same-day procedure with a short recovery: a few days of soft food and rest, then a gradual return to normal over about two weeks. The best results come when you're a healthy non-smoker with realistic goals, and when you talk openly with your provider about the risks, especially numbness, infection, and scarring.
Thinking about chin surgery? Save or print this guide and bring it to your consultation so you can ask about incision placement, recovery, and whether combining procedures makes sense for you. Then explore our related guides on maxillofacial surgery and jaw implants to see all your options.
FAQ
Is chin reduction surgery the same as chin shaving?
Yes. Chin reduction surgery is also called chin shaving surgery or mentoplasty. All three names describe removing part of the chin bone to make the chin smaller.
How long does chin reduction surgery take?
Chin reduction surgery usually takes one to three hours, depending on how much reshaping is needed and whether other procedures are done at the same time.
Will I be awake during chin reduction surgery?
No. Chin reduction surgery is done under general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep so you don't feel pain during the operation.
Do I need to stay in the hospital after chin reduction surgery?
Usually not. Chin reduction surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, so most people go home the same day.
Where are the incisions made for chin reduction surgery?
The surgeon makes the incision inside the mouth, under the chin, or in both places, then closes it with stitches at the end.
When can I eat normal food after chin reduction surgery?
For the first two to three days, you may need a soft food or liquid diet. Most people move back to solid food around 7 to 14 days after surgery, but only once their provider approves.
How old do you have to be for chin reduction surgery?
You should have reached full skeletal maturity, meaning your bones have stopped growing. This usually happens in early adulthood.
Is chin reduction surgery only cosmetic?
Usually, but not always. Some people have it for medical reasons, such as jaw or teeth problems, and it may help with an overbite or misaligned teeth when combined with jaw surgery.
How long does swelling last after chin reduction surgery?
Swelling and a tight feeling in the chin skin may last up to about two weeks. Some mild swelling can take longer to fully go away.
Will I have numbness after chin reduction surgery?
Numbness around the chin, lower lip or jaw can happen and is usually temporary. Tell your surgeon if numbness does not improve over time.
Further reading
Related Reading
Chin Implant: Surgery, Recovery, Risks, and Who It's For explains how a chin implant enlarges a small chin and recovery.
Sliding Genioplasty: Procedure, Recovery and Results describes chin bone surgery that moves the chin forward, back or sideways.
Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery): Procedure and Recovery explains jaw surgery that corrects bite and facial balance problems.
Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation and Reshaping) compares chin reshaping surgeries, their risks and recovery.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Chin Reduction Surgery. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated October 1, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24244-chin-reduction-surgery
Niechajev I. Reduction genioplasty for mandibular prognathism and long chin. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2020;24(3):333-341. PMID 32533407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-020-00853-8
Gursky AK, Chinta SR, Wyatt HP, et al. A Comprehensive Analysis of Genioplasty in Facial Feminization Surgery: A Systematic Review and Institutional Cohort Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(1):182. PMID 39797264. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010182
Oranges CM, Grufman V, di Summa PG, et al. Chin Augmentation Techniques: A Systematic Review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2023;151(5):758e-771e. PMID 36729154. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000010079
Disclaimer
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a qualified surgeon or healthcare provider about your own situation before deciding on any procedure.
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