Retrogenia: What a Recessed Chin Is

Retrogenia is the positioning of the chin backward relative to the rest of the profile. Patients usually describe it as a "small chin" or a "chin that goes inward". It is a frequent concern in an HOF consultation, because the chin plays a large role in the balance between nose, lips and neck.

Retrogenia or retrognathia?

The distinction changes the plan. In retrogenia, the problem is limited to the chin, and the occlusion may be normal. In retrognathia, the mandible as a whole is set back, which usually affects the bite and may be linked to functional issues, such as breathing and the temporomandibular joint. In those cases, orthodontic or oral and maxillofacial assessment comes before any aesthetic procedure.

How does retrogenia show up on the face?

In profile, the chin sits behind the references used in the analysis, such as the Ricketts line, and the lips look more projected. The mentolabial sulcus may be shallow or deep, depending on the position of the lower lip. The mentalis muscle often works harder to close the mouth, leaving the chin skin wrinkled. The transition between chin and neck also tends to be less defined.

Which options are usually considered?

In mild to moderate cases, with no surgical indication, chin filler can improve projection and profile balance. Toxin in the mentalis may be added when there is hyperactivity. Cases with significant skeletal alteration are usually better resolved with orthodontics or surgery. Indication, product and volume are defined by the qualified professional, after assessment, and hyaluronidase must be available when hyaluronic acid is used.

In Harmy

The Chin point of the marking lets you project different volumes and show the patient, from the front, the effect on the lower third.

Also called: microgenia (when the chin is also small), recessed chin, retruded chin.