In the pursuit of improved facial balance and shape, the
use of solid facial implants is a simple and proven method.
While there are facial implants made from different
materials that can be used, the use of solid silicone
(rubber) chin, cheek, nose and jaw implants are by far the
most commonly used. They are soft, flexible, and slide
easily into place on top of facial bones. These type of
facial implants are placed deep to the skin down at the
bone level. Since they are solid, not gel-filled, there is
no risk of implant leakage or breaking. All facial implants
can be inserted through very discrete incisions that often
leave no visible scars on the face. While any implant
(foreign-body) has some risk of infection, facial implants
infection is quite uncommon.
Enhancing the chin with an implant is the most commonly
performed facial implant procedure. With a small incision
under the chin, a chin implant can be easily put into
place, bringing the chin forward so that it is in balance
to the nose and lips. Unlike the old style 'button' chin
implant, there are many different styles of chin implants
today. From curved styles to a more box shape, to those
chin implants with a central dimple, there are many options
to custom tailor a chin implant to fit most patient's
faces. Usually the chin implant is sutured into place, a
metal screw can be driven through the implant to the bone.
This screw fixation method can eliminate one of the very
few complications of chin implants, that of shifting or
changing position after surgery causing chin asymmetry.
Chin implants are commonly in conjunction with other facial
procedures including rhinoplasty, neck liposuction, and
facelifts.
Cheek implants also have a variety of styles, allowing
fullness to be gained over the prominence of the cheekbone,
filling out the hollow underneath the cheekbone, or
allowing more fullness to be gained up to the side of the
nose. By going through the mouth under the upper lip, there
is no facial scarring. Cheek implants help bring fullness
to a flat cheeks, help camouflage a prominent nose, or
restore facial fat atrophy lost in HIV disease. Metal screw
fixation seems to be of particular importance as the cheek
implant is really sitting 'on the side of the cliff' so to
speak and, therefore, is more prone to the risk of moving
out of place after surgery.
Jaw implants of the mandibular (jaw) angle are relatively
new. Jaw implants are designed to 'square' the face at the
jaw angle for a more masculine look or to correct facial
asymmetry if jaw development is different between the two
sides of the face. Swelling and recovery after jaw angle
implant placement is greater than with chin and cheek
implants as the big chewing muscles must be lifted up to
put the jaw angle implant in place. This causes some
soreness in opening the mouth for several weeks after
surgery.
In some cases, the use of different implants in the same
patient, such as a chin and jaw angle implants in a male,
can provide dramatic changes in one's facial appearance.
Facial implants are a powerful tool, that is simple and
usually uncomplicated, to achieve better facial balance and
harmony.
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Dr Barry Eppley runs a private plastic surgery practice
through his hospital-based medspa locations at Clarian
Health in Indianapolis. To learn more about the latest
trends in plastic surgery, spa therapies, or skin care, go
to his daily blog, http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com .
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