Facial Implants
Ideal facial beauty begins with good bone structure. Existing bone structure can be contoured and sculpted or enhanced using facial implants. Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) and cheek augmentation are two procedures performed to enhance facial appearance and improve overall facial balance.
A "weak" chin can make the nose appear larger and the neck appear less defined. In addition, an underdeveloped chin can falsely convey to others a perception of weakness or timidity in a male. Mentoplasty is performed to enhance the chin. It is a very gratifying procedure that produces remarkable results.
Mentoplasty can be performed alone, but is often done in conjunction with a facelift or a rhinoplasty. Performed with a faceift or necklift, mentoplasty enhances the jaw-line and improves the appearance of a loose neckline. Dr. Steiger uses several different kinds of implants which are customized based upon your appearance.
A chin implant can also enhance the result of rhinoplasty by realigning the nose and chin into proper balance. This is often overlooked, but is an important part of achieving a natural appearing, balanced result. Dr. Steiger uses special implants that are designed to appear natural and undetectable. During your consultation he will carefully evaluate your facial bone structure to determine if chin augmentation is right for you.
Prominent cheek bones are a recognized feature of facial beauty. Cheek Implants can improve facial balance and enhance your appearance. Malar augmentation can be peformed to correct flat or underdeveloped cheek bones. Cheek augmentaton is also performed to correct sunken cheeks, which develops with aging.
Cheek augmentation is peformed alone or in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures. Dermal fillers or facial fat transfer (micrografts) can also be performed to achieve improvement of the cheeks. Dr. Steiger will evaluate your bone structure and appearance do determine if cheek augmentation is right for you.
Goals To ehhance your exisiting bone structure in order to improve facial balance.
The Procedure Cheek implants are inserted through small incisions made on the inside of your mouth. The appropriate sized implant is then inserted and secured in place.
Chin implants are inserted thorugh a small incision hidden underneath your chin. The proper size is chosen and inserted in place.
Anesthesia Facial implants are usually inserted under sedative anesthesia, but can also be placed under local anesthesia.
Length of Time The procedure takes approximately one hour to perform. Facial implants are often performed at the same time as other facial plastic surgeries.
After the Procedure Patients can go home after surgery. Ice packs will be given to you to help reduce the swelling.
Recovery Patients return to non-strenuous activities within a few days. Most of the swelling goes away in one week, but may take longer to completely resolve. Discomfort after the procedure is treated with a light pain medication which will be prescribed to you in case of need.
Chin augmentation is an enhancement procedure. The goal of this procedure is to improve facial proportions, creating a more balanced look. Chin augmentation can be performed alone, or in conjunction with a rhinoplasty. Chin augmentation may also be performed along with a neck lift in order to create a natural distinction between the face and neck.
Prejowel implants are modifications of chin implants performed to rejuvenate an aging face. They do not add any projection to the chin, instead they are designed to fill in the hollow region in front of the jowel. This region is called the prejowel sulcus.
This will be determined during your detailed consultation.
Cheek augmentation is performed for:
1) Enhancement- To improve upon an exisitng facial feature. Malar augmentation can enhance your cheek bones if they are underdeveloped.
and/or
2) Rejuvenation- As we age, certain regions of the face loose volume, partly to thinning or resorption of bone. Malar and submalar implants can rejuvenate an aged appearance by restoring volume to those portions of the face.
There are several different materials used for facial implants. Silastic implants are most commonly used because of their very strong track record for safety and reliability.
Yes. They are permanent, but can be removed if necessary.
Facial fillers such as Radiesse, Restylane and Perlane are often used to enhance the cheeks and the submalar region. Dr. Steiger also performs facial fat grafting to enahnace and/or rejuvenate these regions.