Can a dentist perform chin liposuction?

What do the Brazilian regulations say?

I reviewed the sources for this article on October 30, 2026. A 2025 technical note from the Minas Gerais regional dental council describes cannula-based chin liposuction as mechanical lipoplasty within the scope of specialists in orofacial harmonization, known in Brazil as HOF. It refers to Federal Dental Council Resolution 198/2019. That note predates the later court developments, so I would not use it alone as a definitive statement of the current legal position. [1]

The council’s Resolution 286/2026 separately lists cervical and facial liposuction within the specialty of orofacial aesthetic surgery, or CEOF, from its Portuguese name. Its article 5 preserves previously established competencies of other dental specialties. This does not mean that every dentist holds the same qualifications or is entitled to perform every procedure mentioned in those rules. [2]

Has the legal dispute been settled?

The regulatory picture needs to be read alongside the litigation. The Federal Dental Council acknowledged an appellate ruling annulling Resolution 198/2019 and is defending its position. A later notice from the Roraima regional council reported that publication of the judgment had been set aside so the document could be prepared by the judge responsible for the winning opinion. That procedural step does not itself mean the ruling on the merits was reversed. [3]

When I checked the public court record on October 30, it showed subsequent notifications and motions for clarification filed in October. The existence of an appeal does not, by itself, establish that a ruling is suspended. I recommend checking the specific professional’s registration and the applicable rules and decisions before arranging treatment. The case described here concerns Resolution 198/2019 and HOF; it does not, by itself, determine the status of Resolution 286/2026 and CEOF. [4]

This discussion concerns Brazil. Dental and medical licensing rules differ between countries and, in some places, between states. A qualification or procedure offered in one jurisdiction does not establish permission to practice it elsewhere.

What is actually creating your double chin?

Someone may point to the area below their jaw and say, “I want this fat removed.” I understand that concern. But I do not assume that everything visible there is a pocket of fat immediately beneath the skin. Several structures can contribute to the same outward appearance.

When I assess someone for a deep neck lift, I examine these components alongside the skin, jawline and lower face. Photographs can start a useful conversation, but they do not replace examination and medical history. Not every prominent structure should be reduced, and not everyone needs deeper surgery.

When might chin liposuction leave the main problem untreated?

If loose skin, deeper tissues or descent of the lower face accounts for much of the appearance, removing superficial fat alone may not address the main concern. This is why I prefer to establish the diagnosis before agreeing on the procedure. The treatment available should not determine what we decide the problem must be.

In my practice, I often see people whose needs extend beyond liposuction. That reflects the patients who come to me; it is not a measured description of everyone with a double chin. I also recognize carefully selected cases where superficial liposuction can be appropriate. A larger operation is not automatically the better choice.

I frequently plan treatment of the face and neck together. I offer isolated neck surgery when the assessment supports that approach, particularly when there is no significant facial laxity. I would not promise that a smaller procedure can deliver every change that might require a broader operation.

Can the skin look wrinkled after chin liposuction?

This is a concern I have encountered among people seeking advice after previous treatment. Some describe wrinkling becoming more noticeable around 12 to 18 months after chin liposuction. I present that as an observation from my clinical practice, not a measured complication rate or an inevitable outcome.

To understand a particular change, I need to consider the skin before treatment, how much fat was removed and where, healing, and ongoing aging. I do not assume that every later wrinkle proves a technical error. Planning should include the possibility of laxity or unevenness rather than a promise that removing more fat will always produce a better contour.

What risks deserve a clear explanation?

Liposuction involves instruments beneath the skin. Bleeding, hematoma, infection and contour irregularities can occur. A scientific review of submental liposuction complications describes significant adverse events and emphasizes recognition and treatment. [5]

I would not judge safety by incision size alone. A neck hematoma can require urgent care. Rapidly increasing swelling, trouble breathing or difficulty swallowing after a procedure needs immediate medical assessment, not a wait for a routine appointment.

What would I check before choosing a professional?

I would ask for a clear explanation of the diagnosis, the limits of the proposed treatment and the alternatives, including no surgery. In Brazil, someone presenting as a plastic surgeon should have a medical registration, the CRM, and the relevant specialist registration, the RQE. For a dentist, check the CRO registration and the specific qualification being claimed, together with its current scope.

I would also ask about experience with the proposed operation, the facility, anesthesia, emergency resources and follow-up. Those questions apply to any professional. It would be inaccurate to say that dentists do not study anatomy or emergencies. The useful question is whether the person’s training, authorization and resources fit the treatment being offered. Knowing how to perform one technique also means recognizing when another approach, or another professional, is needed.

If you would like to understand the cause of your own neck fullness, I can assess it during a consultation with me. I will explain what may be treated, what should be preserved and what limitations remain.

A Portuguese version of this article is also available.

Illustrative image; not a patient or surgical result.