CHEEK AND LIP IMPLANTS
Traditionally, strong cheek bones and facial angulation have been considered
signs of beauty. Cheek implants add to the definition of the face and
help improve facial harmony through two procedures - malar augmentation
and submalar augmentation. The submalar implant may even give a more youthful
appearance to the face or enhance the results of a face lift.
Candidates
Candidates for malar augmentation may have inherited flat cheek bones which
give no contour to the face, or they may wish to eliminate the cherub-cheeked look.
Candidates for submalar augmentation seek to enhance the natural facial
contours that have become hollow and contributed to a weak mid-face area.
These candidates, who are usually men and aging women without substantial
fatty deposits in their facial area, seek to fill out their face. The
surgery may offer a more natural "high cheekbone" effect with
the malar implant.
Patients who have suffered facial trauma or have a congenital defect are
candidates for cheek augmentation as well.
Before Surgery
The surgeon will study the contours of your face very carefully to determine
whether an implant will help you and which type, malar or submalar, is
best for your particular condition. There are a variety of sizes and shapes
of preformed rubber implants that are used in these procedures, and it
is necessary to determine which size and shape will provide the facial
structure and balance you desire.
Surgery
The surgery is done with local anesthesia and mild intravenous sedation,
or "twilight" anesthesia. The implant is placed through an incision
in the mouth hidden in the upper lip above the gum line. There is no visible
scar and dissolvable stitches are used.
After Surgery
There is little, if any, pain associated with either implant surgery and
the swelling is minimal. Very rarely will a patient suffer from bruising.
Patients can return to work and other activities within two to four days.