Chin Crease

What is a chin crease?

A chin crease is a line, fold or indentation that develops across or within the chin. It may be present from a young age as part of an individual’s natural anatomy or become more noticeable over time. The appearance of a chin crease varies between individuals and is a common facial feature.

What causes a chin crease?

A chin crease may develop as a result of several factors working together, including:

• Individual facial anatomy and genetics.
• Shape underlying bone, teeth and dental occlusion.
• Smaller jaw / chin bone.
• Highly active chin muscle (mentalis) .
• Repeated movement of the muscles of the lower face.
• Gradual changes in the skin and supporting tissues with age.
• Changes in the underlying bone structure over time.
• Reduced skin elasticity.

The underlying cause varies from person to person, making an individual assessment an important part of the consultation.

Assessment

During your consultation, we’ll assess your chin in the context of your whole lower face. This includes your facial anatomy, teeth and occlusion, skin quality, chin shape, musculature , jawline and the way the muscles of the lower face work during expression. Understanding the underlying cause helps determine whether management is appropriate for you.

Why assessment is important

A chin crease is not always caused by a single factor. In some people, muscle activity is the main contributor, while in others bony anatomy, fat pads, skin quality or changes in the supporting tissues also play a role. Without a comprehensive assessment, management may not address the underlying cause of the concern or achieve an outcome that meets your expectations. A careful assessment helps guide appropriate, individualised management.

Individualised management

During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether management is appropriate for your individual concerns. If so, we’ll explain the available options, together with the expected benefits, limitations and potential risks, so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Prepared by
Dr Simone Doreian
Specialist General Practitioner
AHPRA Registration: MED0001163462