Facial Contouring with Aesthetic Facial Implants

The facial skeleton is a wonderful thing. It provides us with shape, form and function and gives each of us our own unique individual look. From an aesthetic standpoint, the facial skeleton should be balanced to create a harmony among all of the facial features. Considering facial augmentation with an aesthetic implant is a very personal choice.

Chin Augmentation

Chin Augmentation is by far the most common aesthetic implant used by plastic surgeons to balance the facial profile. Chin implants have a very high success rate with minimal problems, and the surgery is usually very well tolerated. Most commonly, the surgeon uses a silastic implant anatomically designed to fit the existing chin shape and to provide a very natural result. In chin augmentation the only alternative to placing an implant is to surgically move the existing bone forward (sliding genioplasty); however there are limits to the extent of augmentation that can be obtained with this procedure.

Patients are usually very pleased with silastic chin implant augmentation because of the shape and contour that can be created with these types of implants. There are two routes which can be used to place the implant. The preferred route is a small incision on the underside of the chin that is very difficult to see once it is well healed. The second choice is through the mouth, just adjacent to the gum line on the lower jaw.

Midfacial Cheek Implants

Midfacial implants have become the secret treatment of many plastic surgeon who understand the importance of restoring youth to the midfacial cheek fat. Many faces begin to show the earliest signs of aging with midfacial fat loss which creates a subtle hallow appearance. The submalar implant can add subtle volume to the midfacial areas and create a long lasting youthful appearance to the face. Augmentation of the cheek bone areas is still a common procedure to add a natural fullness that will restore balance to ones face. The role of a good plastic surgeon is to help the patient choose the best options when considering facial implant augmentation and demonstrate the results during the consultation to recreate the appearance of an implant. Dr. Applebaum can inject sterile water into the face in an area where the implant is to be used for an immediate visual effect on how these implants create their effect. Both the cheek and submalar implants are placed alone or in combination with another facial procedure. It is common to have a cosmetic nasal procedure performed along with placement of a silastic chin implant to balance the profile. In addition many face rejuvenation procedures involve the use of midfacial implants to create a more balanced and youthful appearance.

Facial implants are safe and effective procedure. However, like all implants, they carry small risks that the patient must balance before proceeding with any cosmetic procedure. The consultation time with Dr. Applebaum is an extensive visit that addresses all of the issues surrounding aesthetic facial augmentation.

What our patients say

"Dr. Applebaum was able to balance my profile with a chin implant that gave me a more delicate neck line and a more elegant jaw line. I couldn't be happier."
– H.P., a 28-year-old production assistant who wanted a more defined jawline and neck line but wasn’t sure how it could be done. She underwent successful chin augmentation with minor sculpting of the neck along with with liposuction.

"I am so grateful for the cheek implants Dr. Applebaum gave me. They give me a healthier and more youthful appearance, and corrected the signs of age I was beginning to see in my face."
– K.S., a 45-year-old writer who leads a very fit and active lifestyle, and who saw the early signs of aging with loss of cheek fat. Submalar implants were placed to return a youthful appearance to her midface area.

“I had a facelift over 10 years ago and came to Dr. Applebaum to have a second lift. After the consultation he had convinced me that all I needed was a submalar implant and he was right. I look terrific and my friends can’t put their finger on what I had done.”
– R.K 62 year old women who an interior designer.