Customized Facial Implants
Today's cosmetic surgeons utilize many options to restore cheek volume including Injectable Fillers, Facial Fat Grafting, and Facial Implants. Facial Implants have numerous advantages over other methods of restoring and enhancing the the face. Fillers and fat will dissolve over time. Facial Implants are considered permanent. They are fixed to the cheek bones with micro screws so they will always stay in place and not droop. This makes Facial Implants the only method of cheek rejuvenation and enhancement that is permanent and won't move. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that if a patient does not like them, they can be removed with local anesthesia in 5 minutes. When considering the available options for facial rejuvenation, nothing rivals the versatility of Facial Implants!
FACIAL IMPLANT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE IMPLANT MADE OF?
The Facial Implants that are used in my office are made of silicone rubber which has been used in the human body for decades. When silicone is placed over bone, it feels like bone. A big advantage is that it is very soft, and conforms to the underlying anatomy and cannot be felt through the skin.
HOW LONG WILL MY IMPLANT LAST?
Since these implants are made of silicone, they are considered a permanent filler and cannot migrate anywhere. However, although the implants are considered permanent, these implants can be easily removed with local anesthesia anytime.
HOW LONG DOES THE CHEEK IMPLANT PROCEDURE TAKE?
Facial Implants can be placed with local anesthesia alone or IV sedation. The procedure takes about 15 minutes per side.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY?
The recovery from the procedure varies, but generally after several days most patients can return to light activities. Most patients can return to work 4-5 days after surgery. Recovery depends upon the amount of swelling that occurs as some people swell more than others. In addition, the ability to smile and pucker will be slightly different for the first two weeks. Most patients say there is little to no discomfort following the procedure.
TEMPORAL IMPLANTS
Facial implants offer a useful and permanent solution to facial rejuvenation. Temporal implants are especially helpful for patients who have sunken or hollow or indented temples. This region, which is the beginning of the natural triangle of beauty, generally requires several syringes of filler if augmentation is done with injectable fillers. In addition, the fillers resorb and the procedure will need to be repeated.
Today, this area can be easily augmented with a very soft, silicone Temporal implant (IMPLANTECH, VENTURA,CALIFORNIA). These implants are placed through a small incision in the hairline under intravenous or local anesthesia. Temporal implants are placed above the temporal musclein the area of hollowing and cannot be seen or felt through the skin. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures. Most Temporal implant patients report very little discomfort but occasional bruising and swelling. The recovery time is minimal with most patients able to return to work in 3-5 days.
Before After
CHEEK IMPLANTS
Cheek implants provide a more permanent solution to restoring more youthful appearing cheeks. These implants are easily placed through an incision in the mouth and leaves no scar in the skin. Cheek implants are placed over the bone in the cheek region and are secured with tiny bone screws. They will always remain in place and never droop. One distinct advantage of cheek implants is that if a patient does not like them, they can be easily removed in a few minutes. There are not many options that are both permanent yet reversible. When considering the avaiable options for cheek enhancement, nothing rivals the versatility of cheek implants.
CHIN IMPLANTS
Some people are born with a weak chin which gives them the appearance of an imbalanced face. The lower portion of the face looks deficient. If the lower lip is considerably behind the upper lip, the patient may be a good candidate for a chin implant.
Chin implants can be placed through an incision in the mouth without any facial scar. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is a safe, predictable procedure. The implants is held in position with a tiny bone screw, but can easily be removed in a few minutes if the patient desires.
The recovery from chin implant surgery is quick and simple. Most patients experience some swelling and little to no pain. For patients that have a significant chin deformity, sometimes a Genioplasty (moving the chin) is a better procedure. Both these procedures can be performed in the office with IV sedation.
