When Can Bone Chips Be Used To Fill In Sliding Genioplasty Defects?

Q: Dr. Eppley, When would be the ideal time to apply the allogenic bone chips for sliding genioplasty defects? (stepoffs) Would this be after the bone has healed, or while it is still healing? Are they place intraorally? If yes, how much does that disturb the muscle and nerve?

A: The time to apply bone chips is either at the time of surgery (which is what I do) or within three months after the surgery. Thereafter the bone is healed and the chips will merely dissolve away. This is when the use of implants is more effective. Bur whether it is bone grafts or implants the submental approach is best to access the area and fill in the defects accurately.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon