In the pursuit of improved facial balance and shape, the use of solid facial implants is a simple and proven method. While there are facial implants made from different materials that can be used, the use of solid silicone (rubber) chin, cheek, nose and jaw implants are by far the most commonly used. They are soft, flexible, and slide easily into place on top of facial bones. These type of facial implants are placed deep to the skin down at the bone level. Since they are solid, not gel-filled, there is no risk of implant leakage or breaking. All facial implants can be inserted through very discrete incisions that often leave no visible scars on the face. While any implant (foreign-body) has some risk of infection, facial implants infection is quite uncommon.

Enhancing the chin with an implant is the most commonly performed facial implant procedure. With a small incision under the chin, a chin implant can be easily put into place, bringing the chin forward so that it is in balance to the nose and lips. Unlike the old style 'button' chin implant, there are many different styles of chin implants today. From curved styles to a more box shape, to those chin implants with a central dimple, there are many options to custom tailor a chin implant to fit most patient's faces. Usually the chin implant is sutured into place, a metal screw can be driven through the implant to the bone. This screw fixation method can eliminate one of the very few complications of chin implants, that of shifting or changing position after surgery causing chin asymmetry. Chin implants are often used in combination with nose surgery, liposuction of the neck, or face tightening procedures of the jowls and neckline.

Cheek implants also have a variety of styles, allowing fullness to be gained over the prominence of the cheekbone, filling out the hollow underneath the cheekbone, or allowing more fullness to be gained up to the side of the nose. By going through the mouth under the upper lip, there is no facial scarring. Building up flat cheeks, camouflaging a prominent nose, or adding fullness to the midface in HIV disease can be done with cheek implants. Securing the cheek implant into place is of particular importance as they are the most prone of any facial implant to moving out of place after surgery.

Jawline implants are relatively new. Making a man's face more square and amsculine is done with jaw angle implants and is also used when there is facial asymmetry caused by the jaw developing differently between the two sides of the face. Swelling and recovery after jaw angle implant placement is greater than with chin and cheek implants as the big chewing muscles must be lifted up to put the jaw angle implant in place. This causes some soreness in opening the mouth for several weeks after surgery.

In some cases, the use of different implants in the same patient, such as a chin and jaw angle implants in a male, can provide dramatic changes in one's facial appearance. Facial implants are a powerful tool, that is simple and usually uncomplicated, to achieve better facial balance and harmony.

About the Author

Dr Barry Eppley, plastic surgery of Indianapolis, has two medspa practice locations at Clarian Health. To learn more about the latest trends in plastic surgery, spa therapies, or medical skin care, go to his daily blog, http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com .

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