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Facial Implants of the Cheeks, Chin and Jaw
in Bethesda Maryland - Washington DC Metro Area
Plastic surgeons use facial implants to improve and enhance facial contours. There are many implants available, manufactured from a variety of materials. They may help strengthen a jawline or bring the chin or cheekbones into balance with the rest of the face.
What facial implants can do for you
Facial implants can enhance your appearance and bolster your self esteem. If you are looking for improvement, not perfection, in your appearance and are realistic in your expectations, you may find that a facial implant is the right choice for you.
Plastic surgeons will frequently use such implants to bring better balance to the features of a younger patient. For example, a teenage girl may want her nose reshaped or her chin brought forward so that these traits are better proportioned. The more mature patient may choose to have an implant placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure. For example, during a facelift, a patient may wish to have implants placed over the cheekbones to help restore a more youthful appearance. Implants may also be selected to fill out a face that appears "sunken" or tired.
Your surgical consultation
Your surgeon will evaluate your general health and determine the surgical approach and type of implant needed to obtain your desired result. If the surgery will entail an incision inside your mouth, it is important that you inform your physician if you smoke or if you have any dental or gum problems. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on these matters.
The surgery
Your operation may take place in an office-based facility, a freestanding surgical center or a hospital outpatient facility. Your doctor will make such a recommendation based on your overall medical condition and whether another cosmetic procedure was performed simultaneously with the facial implant surgery.
In some cases, facial implant surgery may require only local anesthesia combined with a sedative. In this case, you would be awake but relaxed, and would not feel pain but may feel occasional tugging. More frequently, a general anesthesia is recommended.
Chin surgery: Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, the surgeon selects the proper size and shape implant to enhance your appearance and inserts it into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The small incision to create the pocket and insert the implant is placed inside the mouth (along the lower lip) or in the skin just under the chin area.
Usually, the chin is taped after surgery to minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures in the skin will be removed in five to seven days. If an intra-oral incision is used, the sutures will dissolve.
Cheek surgery: Cheek implant surgery usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. When cheek implants are being placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, forehead lift or eyelid surgery, the implants may be inserted through the incisions made for those procedures. Otherwise, an incision will be made either inside your upper lip or your lower eyelid. A pocket is then formed and an implant is inserted.
Jaw surgery: Insertion of a jaw implant usually takes about one to two hours. Internal incisions are made on either side of the lower lip to provide access for creating a pocket into which the lower-jaw implant can be inserted. Dissolving sutures are used to close the incisions.
If you are interested in scheduling a complimentary consultation for Facial Implants of the Cheeks, Chin and Jaw, please use our online plastic surgery information form to make an appiontment.