Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery: Aesthetic Enhancements & Reconstructive Care

Facial Implants Common Procedures

Plastic Surgery: Aesthetic Enhancements & Reconstructive Care

Plastic surgery restores form and function through reconstructive procedures, cosmetic enhancements, and body contouring.

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Chin Augmentation (Mentoplasty)

Chin augmentation is the most frequently performed facial implant procedure. It targets microgenia, or a weak, receding chin. A receding chin can disrupt facial balance, making the nose appear larger and the neck contour less defined. The implant provides anterior projection, aligning the chin with the lips and nose.

The procedure utilizes a curvilinear implant that wraps around the front of the jawbone. It can add vertical height, horizontal projection, or lateral width depending on the patient’s needs. The incision is typically placed inside the mouth (intraoral) or under the chin (submental), leaving no visible scarring.

  • Correction of receding chin profile
  • Balancing of nasal and chin proportions
  • Extension of the jawline anteriorly
  • Incision placement intraorally or submentally
  • Customization of vertical and horizontal dimensions
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Mandibular Angle Implants (Jaw Augmentation)

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Mandibular angle implants are designed to widen the lower third of the face. They target the gonial angle, the back corner of the jaw near the ear. This procedure is sought by individuals with a narrow or sloping jawline who desire a more square, defined look.

These implants are placed beneath the masseter muscle, directly on the bone. They can add lateral width (flaring the jaw) and vertical length (lowering the jaw angle). This creates a strong, chiseled frame for the face and separates the jawline visually from the neck.

  • Widening of the posterior face width
  • Squaring of the gonial angle
  • Vertical lengthening of the jawline
  • Sub-masseteric placement for natural contour
  • Visual separation of the jaw and neck
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Malar Augmentation (Cheek Implants)

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Malar implants address the midface. They are used to correct flat cheekbones or restore volume lost with age. High cheekbones are a universal marker of beauty, reflecting light and lifting the facial features. Implants provide a permanent alternative to injectable fillers for this area.

There are different styles of cheek implants: malar shell implants, which sit directly on the cheekbone for high projection, and submalar implants, which fill the hollow below the cheekbone to correct gauntness. Combined implants address both areas for comprehensive midface rejuvenation.

  • Projection of the zygomatic eminence
  • Correction of midface flatness or hypoplasia
  • Volumization of submalar hollows
  • Permanent alternative to cheek fillers
  • Various styles for targeted augmentation

Paranasal and Piriform Implants

Paranasal implants are used to augment the area around the base of the nose (the piriform aperture). In some individuals, this area is recessed, resulting in deep nasolabial folds and a “dished-in” midface appearance. This is common among certain ethnic groups and with aging.

By placing implants at the base of the nose, the surgeon pushes the soft tissue forward. This softens the nasolabial folds and projects the base of the nose, creating a more harmonious relationship between the nose and the upper lip. It effectively plumps the midface from the skeletal level.

  • Augmentation of the nasal base foundation
  • Softening of deep nasolabial folds
  • Correction of midface retrusion
  • Projection of the paranasal soft tissues
  • Harmonization of the nose-lip junction

Temporal Implants

Temporal hollowing is a significant sign of aging. As the temporalis muscle and fat pad atrophy, the temples become concave, creating a “peanut head” appearance that exposes the orbital rim. While fillers are commonly used here, temporal implants provide a permanent solution.

These soft, flexible implants are placed deep to the temporalis fascia. They fill the depression seamlessly, restoring a smooth, convex contour from the forehead to the cheekbone. This procedure rejuvenates the upper face and frames the eyes.

  • Correction of temporal wasting and hollowing
  • Restoration of upper facial convexity
  • Seamless transition from forehead to cheek
  • Permanent solution for temporal volume loss
  • Placement deep to the temporal fascia

Tear Trough Implants

Tear trough implants are specialized devices designed to fill the deep groove between the lower eyelid and the cheek. This hollow creates dark circles and a tired appearance. While often treated with fillers or fat, implants offer a smooth, permanent correction for severe skeletal deficiencies in the orbital rim.

These implants are placed directly on the orbital bone. They push the soft tissue forward, blending the junction between the lid and the cheek. This eliminates the shadow that causes dark circles and provides structural support to the lower eyelid.

  • Filling of the infraorbital rim depression
  • Correction of deep tear trough deformities
  • Elimination of shadow-based dark circles
  • Structural support for the lower eyelid
  • Blending of the lid-cheek junction

Custom Facial Implants

Custom implants represent the pinnacle of facial contouring. They are indicated when standard “off-the-shelf” implants cannot achieve the desired result, or when dealing with significant asymmetry or reconstruction.

Using CT scan data, implants are designed to fit the patient’s bone like a puzzle piece. This is common for total jawline augmentation (combining chin and angle implants into one piece) or for correcting congenital disabilities. Custom implants ensure perfect symmetry and anatomical adaptation.

  • Utilization of patient-specific CT data
  • Correction of significant asymmetry
  • Design of wrap-around jawline implants
  • Perfect anatomical fit and adaptation
  • Solution for unique or reconstructive needs

Physical Indications: Microgenia (Weak Chin)

Microgenia is a condition in which the chin is underdeveloped, lying posterior to the ideal aesthetic line. This creates a weak profile and can contribute to the appearance of a “double chin” even in thin individuals, as there is less bone structure to stretch the neck skin.

The physical indication for an implant is a chin that recedes behind the lower lip on profile view. Patients often feel their nose looks too large or their face lacks definition. A chin implant restores the anterior projection required for a balanced profile.

  • Posterior positioning of the chin point
  • Illusion of a larger nose due to an imbalance
  • Poor definition of the neck angle
  • Underdeveloped mandibular symphysis
  • Aesthetic imbalance of the lower face

Physical Indications: Malar Hypoplasia (Flat Cheeks)

Malar hypoplasia refers to the underdevelopment of the cheekbones. Individuals with this condition have a flat midface and may lack the definition that separates the eyes from the lower face. This can make the face appear tired or drawn.

The indication for surgery is a lack of zygomatic projection. Patients often rely on contouring makeup to create the illusion of cheekbones. Implants provide the actual physical structure needed to catch light and define the midface.

  • Lack of anterior or lateral cheek projection
  • Flat or washed-out midfacial appearance
  • Absence of light reflection on the cheek
  • Reliance on makeup for definition
  • Underdeveloped zygomatic bone structure

Physical Indications: Midface Retrusion

Midface retrusion involves a sunken appearance of the central face, including the nose base and upper jaw. This can lead to a concave profile and deep folds around the mouth. It is often a skeletal characteristic, but it can be exacerbated by aging.

Implants in the paranasal or maxillary region push the midface forward. This corrects the “dished-in” look and provides support for the upper lip and nose base. It is a structural fix for a skeletal deficiency.

  • Concave or “dished-in” facial profile
  • Deepening of nasolabial folds
  • Recession of the maxillary bone
  • Lack of support for the nasal base
  • Skeletal deficiency of the central face

Biological Causes: Congenital Development

The primary biological cause for most facial implant procedures is genetics. The shape of the skull, the prominence of the chin, and the width of the jaw are inherited traits. Developmental patterns determine the growth of the facial skeleton during adolescence.

Some individuals do not develop strong projection in certain areas. Syndromes like Treacher Collins or hemifacial microsomia are more severe examples of congenital developmental issues that require implant reconstruction.

  • Genetic inheritance of skeletal traits
  • Developmental growth patterns
  • Inherited lack of bony projection
  • Congenital craniofacial syndromes
  • Variations in skeletal maturation

Biological Causes: Bone Resorption

Aging is a biological process that actively remodels bone. As we age, the body reabsorbs bone tissue, leading to a loss of volume and projection. The eye sockets widen, the jawbone shrinks, and the cheekbones recede.

This bone loss removes the support system for the skin and fat, contributing to sagging. Implants biologically mimic the bone that has been lost, restoring the scaffolding that the skin needs to drape youthfully.

  • Age-related remodeling of the skull
  • Widening of the orbital aperture
  • Resorption of the mandibular height
  • Recession of the maxillary prominence
  • Loss of soft tissue support structures

Functional Issues: Mentalis Muscle Strain

In patients with a weak chin, the mentalis muscle (chin muscle) often has to work overtime to close the lips. This leads to a condition called mentalis strain, in which the chin skin appears dimpled or “orange peel”- like when the mouth is closed.

A chin implant can lengthen the skeletal support, allowing the lips to close without excessive muscle effort. This resolves the functional strain on the mentalis muscle, smoothing the chin skin and relaxing the lower face.

  • Hyperactivity of the mentalis muscle
  • Dimpling or “pebble chin” appearance
  • Difficulty achieving lip competence
  • The strain required to close the mouth
  • Relief of muscular tension via skeletal support

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a “wrap-around” jaw implant?

A wrap-around implant is a custom-designed piece that covers the entire jawline, from the chin to the jaw angles. It provides a complete restructuring of the lower face, widening the jaw and projecting the chin in a single, cohesive unit.

Cheek implants can add volume to the upper cheek, supporting the lower eyelid. However, they are not a direct cure for eye bags. Often, a specific tear trough implant or a lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is needed for the best result.

Standard chin implants sit on the front of the chin bone and do not touch the teeth or affect your bite. They are purely cosmetic. However, the surgeon must be careful not to damage the mental nerve, which provides sensation to the teeth and lips.

Yes, forehead implants exist. They are used to correct a flat or sloping forehead or to augment the brow ridge for a more masculine appearance. These are usually custom-made based on a CT scan.

Implants are typically secured using tiny titanium screws. This prevents the implant from shifting or moving after surgery. The screws are permanent but can be removed if the implant ever needs to be taken out.

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