Cheek Implants

Bid farewell to your tedious make-up routines that can only give a superficial lift to your cheek bone. Re-contour your face aesthetically and retain your youthful appearance. Improve the symmetry of your face and emerge as a younger you with prominent cheekbones. Cheek implants are used to lift the cheek bone through a surgical process and is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery. This procedure helps in improving the overall features of the face. Cheek implant procedure is also known as malar augmentation.

A person with hollow and deep-set cheeks can opt for this procedure. This procedure is reversible, in case the person is not happy with the shape of the face. The implant can be replaced with another more suitable.

Malar augmentation

The implant can be placed by making an incision:

• In the upper portion of the mouth, close to the top portion of the gum line, once the incision is made the surgeon slides the implant into the grove.
  
  
• On the outer portion near the eye, once the incision is made the surgeon slides the implant into the grove. Majority of the patients do not choose this method as it can leave back a noticeable scar.
  
  
• On the inner side of the mouth (intra-oral), once the incision is made the surgeon slides the implant into the grove. This procedure might cause an infection as the incision is made inside the mouth and the bacteria in the mouth can lead to an infection.
  
  

The number of sutures depends upon the method chosen to place the implant. Cheek implants are made from hard silicone; this is a little harder when compared to the normal human bone. The human body might either accept or reject this foreign body. People should be physically and mentally healthy to undergo this procedure.

This procedure is performed as an out-patient procedure under general anesthesia and is completed within a couple of hours. Recovery period is about six weeks if all is fine. Liquid diet is recommended for the first few weeks as the movement of the lips and mouth will be limited.

• Transformed appearance, there is a complete makeover in the person's appearance
  
  
• Augments facial contours
  
  
• Improves the overall facial features
  
  
• Improves the symmetry of the face by correcting the asymmetrical areas
  
  
• Corrects congenital defects
  
  

Cheek bone implants

Cheek bone implants produce the desired results in improving the looks of a person. They have been used since 1956 and are available in various sizes and shapes. They can be custom made to suit the individual's facial structure. Synthetic materials that are flexible yet firm are used to make these implants. The most common materials used to make cheek implants are silicone, hydroxyapatite. Silicone implants do not fuse with the normal bone tissue thus making it easy for removal as and when required. Hydroxyapatite implants fuse with normal bone tissue and become a part of the cheek structure.

The malar shell implant: In this type of procedure, the surgeon enhances the actual cheek bone area of the patient to give the area additional fullness.

Submalar implant: In this type of procedure, the sunken part of the cheek beneath the eye and to the side of the nose is enhanced to its fullest extent.

Combined submalar implant: In this type of procedure, the complete mid face is enhanced. This procedure is an amalgamation of the submalar and the malar shell implant.

• Silicone is the most widely used material in making cheek implants
  
  
• Expanded Polytetraflouroethylene or ePTFE is another type of material that can be used in making cheek implants. ePTFE is a popular choice as it blends well with the internal tissues of the body thus holding the implant at the right place.
  
  
• Other types of material used to make cheek implants are coral, bone grafts, etc.
  
  

Cheek implant cost

The price ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 (price varies from hospital to hospital depending on the surgeon who performs the procedure). The cost for this procedure includes anesthesia charges, hospital charges, implant cost, surgeon fees, etc.

Chin and Cheek implants

Chin implants also known as mentoplasty help in redefining the contour of the face. An incision is made either on the inner side of the lower lip or beneath the chin. The implant is then placed at the suitable spot inside the chin and in front of the jawbone.

Permanent chin and cheek implants improve the balance between the other features of the face like the eyes, nose, and forehead. Prominent cheek bones and a strong chin offer symmetry and definition to the face. Chin and cheek implant surgery can be carried out in people whose facial bones are fully developed, i.e. in people who are aged above15.

Chin implants are made from hard silicone; this is a little harder when compared to the normal human bone. The human body might either accept or reject this foreign body. People should be physically and mentally healthy to undergo this procedure. This procedure is performed as an out-patient procedure under general anesthesia and takes a couple of hours.

• Extend or enlarge the chin of people whose chin is dug in or small
  
  
• A prominent and appearance of fullness of the upper cheeks
  
  
• Strike proportion and balance between the various features of the face
  
  
• Aging can give the cheeks a hollow look; this procedure can bring roundness to the cheeks
  
  
• Improve the appearance of the chin, cheeks and the jaw