Facial Implants Information

Background on facial implants

The expression "put your best face forward" is not just a trite old saying. Our face conveys so much to the world; joy and sorrow, anguish and relief, anger and delight. Cosmetic surgery can enhance and improve facial features often with marginal pain and discomfort.

Some people find that their face does not often reflect how they feel inside. Others lack the ability to face the world with confidence and pride because nature has deprived them of what many would call "classical beauty." Not to worry, for modern plastic surgery has developed ways to correct virtually every less than perfect situation.

Facial implants are made from a wide variety of materials, and can balance out imperfections and bring overall balance and proportion to the face. Chemicals such as Botox, collagen, and even fat from your body can also smooth out rough spots in your appearance. Taking pride in your looks - be it through a new nose, chin, cheeks, or jaw - can improve your self esteem more than you ever dreamt.

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Best candidates for facial implants

The best candidates for facial implant surgery are healthy people want to improve the way they look through cosmetic enhancement of the facial features. Whether cheek, chin or jaw surgery, you can complete the look you have always wanted.

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Uncertainty and risk for facial implants

Even though facial implant surgery is one of the safest forms of cosmetic enhancement, every type of surgery has a certain degree of risk. Consult your board certified plastic surgeon to learn the benefits and risks of facial implant surgery.

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Planning for facial implants

During the initial consultation for your surgery, your doctor will attempt to balance your desired look with what can be accomplished with surgery. Your surgeon will examine your skin and fat tone, measure your bone structure, and advise you on what will be the most likely outcome of your procedure.

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Preparing for facial implants

Most facial implants are outpatient procedures. Jaw, cheek and chin implants require surgical placement but these procedures are typically less involved than radical surgeries such as nose jobs or facelifts.

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Where the facial implant surgery is performed

These surgeries are usually performed in a freestanding medical building, hospital, or even your doctor's office, depending of the complexity of the procedure. Chin and cheek implants generally take more time and preparation to complete, but simple Botox injections can be administered just about anywhere.

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Types of anesthesia

Most surgeons use local anesthesia when performing chin or cheek implants, unless these procedures are combined with other more elaborate surgeries such as a face lift or nose job. In these cases your doctor will most likely use a general anesthetic so you can sleep through the entire procedure.

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How the facial implants surgery is performed

If the cheeks are the only areas being enhanced, the doctor will make a small incision inside the upper lip or lower eyelid in order to minimize visible scarring. Cheek implants are sculpted to enhance the natural contours of the face, and are often used in conjunction with other facial surgery to balance out other procedures such as nose jobs or chin implants.

Chin prosthetics usually take little more than half an hour to implant. The small incision to create the pocket for the implant is usually within the inside of the lower lip in an effort to decrease scarring. For more dramatic reconstructions the implant is usually inserted through an incision underneath the jaw line.

In order to fill out the area around your jaw, your surgeon will make internal incisions inside your lower lip to create a pocket to insert your jaw prosthesis. Special dissolving sutures close up the opening and the entire process usually takes between one and two hours.

Another less invasive way your surgeon uses to enhance your facial contours is through redistributing your own body fat. Using your own surgically removed fat to fill out your lips, cheeks or jaw line requires your doctor to remove fat from usually your buttocks or thighs and strategically place it in your face to create the shape you desire.

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Post-op / Recovery

Facial implant surgery usually only requires a short recovery period because the procedures are generally less invasive than other types of plastic surgery. Recovery is usually as simple as the procedure itself. The area around the chin or cheeks will often be very sore for a few days, and the skin often remains black and blue for about as long. Many patients often report difficulty chewing, turning their head, and speaking, but this discomfort is usually mild and temporary. Diet considerations are important as well, because certain foods can irritate or contribute to oral infections.

One important part of the healing process is proper dental hygiene, especially if the implant incision was made through the mouth. The support tape and bandages usually come off after a few days, and once they do you can be proud to show the whole world your new chin.

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Types of Facial Implants

Cheek Implants
Cheek implants are used to augment and enhance the upper part of the face around the eyes. Typically made from hard silicone or other biocompatible materials, cheek implants plump up the area of the cheek. Your desired look is greatly affected by your natural facial bone structure, as sometimes you may want the front or sides of your cheeks augmented to achieve maximum effect.

Chin Implants
Chin implants are by far the most popular type of permanent facial implants. Your surgeon inserts an implant of hard silicone or other material through a small incision in your lower lip in order to correct an oval shaped profile. Most people who receive chin implants find that their receding chin is much better defined which in turn gives them a wealth of new confidence and self-esteem.

Jaw Implants
If you have always wanted a strong, chiseled, well defined jaw but genetics has conspired against you, a jaw implant is the perfect solution to your problem. Jaw implant surgery takes only one or two hours and aside from some minor swelling, bruising, and eating restrictions, you should be ready to show your new face within a few days.

Facial Implants Statistics

-Chin Implants are the most popular type of facial implant, with over 32,000 procedures performed in 2004
-There were 10,883 cheek implant procedures performed in 2004
-75% of all chin implants were performed on women in 2004
-81% of all cheek implant performed in 2004 were on women
-The largest percentage of chin implants in 2004 were performed on people between the ages of 19 and 34
-Ages 51-64 accounted for 39% of all cheek enhancements in 2004

For information of types of facial fillers please see our Methods for Soft Tissue Fillers page.

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