Facial Implants

The chin and cheek regions of the face are two pronounced landmarks on your face. If these areas are not well developed, your face may appear unbalanced. Facial implants can improve and enhance your facial contour. Frequently, these implants will help provide a more harmonious profile to your face so that you feel better about the way you look.

A chin implant can strengthen the appearance of a weak, receding chin by increasing its projection and giving a more pleasing profile. A cheek implant can improve facial harmony by giving greater definition to the cheekbones, achieving better balance with the rest of your face.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Chin or cheek implant surgery is most commonly performed on persons aged 18-70 to minimize the effects of aging. As in any surgery, a patient should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about surgery. Your age, skin type, ethnicity, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, and bone structure are important factors. It is also important to note that the patients should have a normal dental bite prior to surgery.

Before Surgery

During your initial consultation, the doctor will cover all areas of concern including the procedure, incisions, anesthesia, pre/post operative care, risks, and results. Any other treatment options and relevant questions you may have will be addressed. After your initial consultation, a second visit will be arranged, in which a complete physical exam and bloodwork will be done. Implant sizing will also be done at this time to decide what size and shape best compliments your face. Photographs will also be taken, and fees will be discussed.

The risks associated with this procedure are rare and uncommon, but include anesthesia reactions, infection, bleeding, wound scar, asymmetry, implant migration, extrusion and nerve injury. All other risks will be discussed in detail at your consultation.The Surgery
The surgery is performed in our fully equipped surgery center under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. The patient sleeps comfortably through the procedure, and wakes up in the recovery room without the ill effects of a general anesthetic. Usually, the surgery lasts up to three hours. The surgery can be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures

Chin Implant:

The incision is placed under the chin or inside the mouth. After a small pocket is created, a solid silicone chin implant is inserted. The wound is then closed with a fine suture. The resulting scar will be a barely visible faint line underneath the chin.

Cheek Implants:

The incision is placed inside the mouth. A small pocket is then created and a solid silicone implant is inserted. The wound is then closed with a fine absorbable suture. External cheek skin sutures will be placed over the cheek region for the next 3-5 days. A small dressing will cover the chin or cheek region.Depending on the procedure, the surgery will take approximately 2-3 hours.After Surgery Following surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery room for up to two hours. You will experience swelling, bruising, numbness, and temporary discomfort around the incision in the first few days. Swelling will occur in the cheek region for cheek implants and in the chin and neck area for a chin implant. You will be advised to apply cold compresses and keep your head elevated in order to reduce swelling. Patients must continue to use the antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed. The sutures will be removed at ten to fourteen days after chin surgery. The skin bolster sutures will be removed in 5 days after your cheek surgery. Patients are advised to follow up at 10 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Although you will be up and mobile the day following surgery, you are advised to take 7 to 10 days off work. Vigorous physical activity may be restarted after four weeks. Final results should be visible between 3 and 6 month.

Results

The goal in chin or cheek implant surgery is to restore balance in facial features and to create a more pleasing profile. Patients find that implants fill out their once sunken cheeks, creating a more youthful appearance. Patients in chin implant surgery find that a more prominent chin is a more attractive feature in the face. Facial implant patients are most pleased with their result, which should last a lifetime. If you are interested in facial implant surgery, please contact the clinic for a complimentary private physician consultation.

Click here for a Cheek Imlant Diagram