Plastic surgeons use facial implants to augment facial structure. Patients typically pursue this option to balance their features, or they choose it to restore lost volume. Unlike fillers that are temporary, the results provide a lasting enhancement to the physical appearance.
Understanding Facial Implants
The effects of facial implants can restore youthfulness to the face, and the results are most visible when targeting specific areas. Plastic surgeons primarily utilize three specific implant categories to achieve these goals. The three areas where implants are most common are the chin, jaw, and cheeks.
Chin implants augment a recessed chin, or they improve the definition of the lower face. Because a weak jawline can fade into the neck, jaw implants widen the lower face to create a sharper angle. Cheek implants add volume to flat areas, but they also enhance the cheekbones for a symmetrical look.
Most implants consist of medical-grade silicone. The material is biocompatible, and it typically integrates into the body with no complications. The silicon material that implants are made of has been used in these procedures for decades.
Identifying Ideal Candidates
Not everyone qualifies for this surgical procedure. The ideal candidate is physically healthy, and they possess realistic expectations about the outcome. Because the skull must be fully developed, patients must have reached late adolescence or early adulthood.
Doctors evaluate specific criteria during the consultation. You may not be a suitable candidate if you meet the following conditions:
- You smoke tobacco products and cannot quit before surgery.
- Your skeletal growth is incomplete.
- You have a medical condition that impairs healing.
Smoking increases the risk of complications, and it slows down the recovery process significantly. Surgeons require patients to stop smoking weeks before the operation. If you have bone disorders, the procedure is likely unsafe.
Navigating the Surgical Process
Preparation involves a few standard medical steps. Your provider might request lab tests, or they will conduct a physical exam to verify your health. Because certain substances increase bleeding, you may need to stop taking aspirin and some other medications indicated by your provider.
The procedure is complex, and surgeons administer anesthesia for comfort. They make incisions inside the mouth or along natural creases. Once the site is ready, the doctor inserts the silicone material and molds it against the bone.
The team closes the incisions with absorbable sutures or skin glue. You will wake up in a recovery area, and patients typically go home the same day. When you leave the procedure, your provider will give you instructions for after-care.
Managing Recovery
Recovery may require adherence to certain post-operative instructions. Your doctor may instruct you to eat a diet of soft foods or liquids, and you may rinse your mouth with salt water to keep incisions clean. Although light activity is permitted, avoid heavy lifting for up to several weeks.
Swelling obscures the final results initially. It may take weeks for the puffiness to subside completely, and in some cases, it can take months. While the results are permanent, the implants are removable if issues arise.
Learn More About Facial Implants
Facial implants offer a structural solution for undefined chins, weak jaws, or flat cheeks. This procedure balances facial features, and it may involve significant recovery time. If you want to learn more about facial implants, consult with a plastic surgeon near you.
Leave a Reply