Facial Plastic Surgery / Facial Implants

Cheek & Chin Implants

Prominent cheekbones and a strong chin provide balance, definition, and beauty. Corrective procedures have made it possible to enhance a receding chin and provide high cheekbones. Chin implants (mentoplasty) and cheek implants (malar augmentation) are surgeries, which provide a more distinctive and attractive look. They are also performed to correct traumatic or congenital (birth) asymmetries.

Facial implants are frequently combined with other surgeries. For some, aging results not only in loss of facial muscle tone and sagging skin, but also a loss of cheek fullness. Cheek implants can recreate a more natural youthful appearance when combined with facelift surgery. It also increases the longevity of the facelift result. Chin implants are frequently performed along with neck liposuction or necklifts to further enhance the neckline and add longevity to the rejuvenated result. For many, enhancing the facial structure can delay the need for a necklift and or facelift. Chin implants are frequently combined with rhinoplasty surgery. A common complaint is that of an overly prominent nose. A common cause for this is a receding chin. Over-reduction of the size of the nose to compensate for a week chin can create facial disharmony and an unnatural profile. By enhancing the chin along with conservative nasal surgery, a more natural facial profile is achieved. During the consultation, Dr. Rubinstein performs video imaging so his patients can see what changes would benefit them the most and how this will affect their appearance.

The Procedure

Cheek and chin implants are performed under light sedation on an outpatient basis. Chin implants are inserted through a small incision made in natural neck skin crease or through the mouth. Cheek implants are placed through two small incisions in the mouth.

Millions of facial implants have been used safely for many years without systemic immune or allergic reactions. Non-toxic non-fluid filled materials, such as silicone (solid), and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) are the most popular materials. There have been many recent technological advances in implant design. This has resulted in the ability to custom tailor the implant to the individuals needs providing a natural result.

Recovery

A small dressing is applied for a few days. Some post-operative discomfort is expected for a 2 to 3 days and is controlled by pain medication. Bruising may last for up to two weeks and is easily camouflaged with make up. Routine activities are resumed within a few days. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for several weeks. The swelling which can last several weeks does not limit ones return to routine activities. Temporary numbness may be present at the incision sites for several months.

Lip Augmentation

Not everyone is blessed with full beautiful lips. For others, full lips are diminished over time due to the natural aging process, smoking, and sun exposure. The desire for lip rejuvenation, enhancement, and the advent of newer more natural implant materials, has resulted in a rapid increase in the various lip enhancement procedures.

Treatment options include temporary fillers. These include Juvederm, Restylane, and fat transfer. Results last from 6 weeks to 6 months.

Laser treatments for lip wrinkles include non-ablative laser resurfacing for fine lines to CO2 laser resurfacing for deeper lip lines.

The desire for permanent lip enhancement has resulted in advances in new lip implantation materials. Alloderm is a natural material derived from donated skin. The skin is purified leaving a collagen framework. Once implanted, the material gradually becomes a natural part of the body and is eventually replaced by the body's own collagen. Results can last up to 2 years. Advanta facial implants are derived from Teflon. Teflon, or Gore-Tex has been used safely for years in vein bypass surgery. Unlike older Teflon implants, Advanta facial implants are soft and natural feeling. Results are permanent. The Alloderm and Advanta implants can be inserted through small hidden lip incisions under local anesthesia. Recovery is quick and normal activities are usually resumed within a few days.

Nasal Labial Fold

Many of the surgical treatments for the aging face neglect to address the important cheek fold area. Deep cheek folds develop as a result of mid-face and cheek descent. Softening of these deep folds can be accomplished through newer facelift techniques, which lift the mid-face, and cheek upward. Results can be disappointing and recovery takes several weeks.

Alternatively, various implant materials can soften the deepened cheek folds. Treatment options include temporary fillers. These include Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane and fat transfer. Results last from 3 to 12 months. The desire for permanent cheek fold rejuvenation has resulted in advances in new implantation materials. Alloderm is a natural material derived from donated skin. The skin is purified leaving a collagen framework. Once implanted, the material gradually becomes a natural part of the body and is eventually replaced by the body?s own collagen. Results can last up to 2 years. Advanta facial implants are derived from Teflon. Teflon, or Gore-Tex has been used safely for years in vein bypass surgery. Unlike older Teflon implants, Advanta facial implants are soft and natural feeling. Results are permanent.

The Alloderm and Advanta implants can be inserted through small inconspicuous incisions under local anesthesia. Recovery is quick and normal activities are usually resumed within a few days. These implants are frequently performed in conjunction with facelift procedures for a more natural result.