Chin & Cheek Implant Surgery in New Jersey

High cheekbones have long been the hallmark of beauty. Not only do prominent cheekbones signify good looks, they give your face a solid foundation for aging gracefully. High cheekbones help to keep skin from sagging, give a more youthful appearance, and help to both define and balance your face and features.

What is a cheek implant?

Cheek implants are also known as malar and submalar implants. Malar implants focus on the part of the cheek that creates that sleek, facial contour while the submalar implants tackle the region just under the cheekbones that give the cheek a fleshy, full look. Submalar implants are especially effective for filling in a sunken face.

What is the procedure for a cheek implant?

Cheek implants, whether malar or submalar, have become routine surgeries with few complications and risks. Your initial consultation will give your physician a chance to look at your face to determine your facial symmetry and definition. Be ready discuss your goals and expectations as well as any questions you may have about the procedure.

The surgery itself can be performed on an outpatient basis under twilight anesthesia. Typically incisions are made inside the mouth where the cheek and upper gums meet or in the underside of the lower eyelid. Both of these incision areas leave no visible scarring. If you are having a face lift, brow lift or eyelid surgery in conjunction with cheek implants, the incisions from the other procedures can be used for your implants. Implants are placed through the incisions and, depending on the type of implant and its placement, sutures may or may not be required to keep the implant in place.

What are the potential risks and complications of cheek implants?

If incisions are made in the mouth there is a slightly higher risk of infection, but following post-operative instructions from Dr. Volshteyn (such as taking antibiotics and carefully brushing your teeth in the area of your incision) can help insure that your healing process is simple and quick.

Some swelling is expected. While initial swelling will begin to dissipate in a couple of days it may take two weeks for all of the swelling to go down. You may experience difficulty in moving the mouth and cheek area, but again, this will come back as you begin to heal.

What can I expect after a cheek implant procedure?

Typically you can return to work in a few days to a week following cheek implant surgery, though your face may still appear swollen. You will need to keep your head elevated for some length of time, which will require sleeping with a couple of pillows. Swelling may peak in the days after your surgery, but will begin to recede immediately afterwards. Give yourself time to rest – this will help you heal faster.

If you are noticing a sunken look to your face, noticing premature signs of aging, or would simply like to improve your overall appearance, cheek implants can add facial definition and balance. A fuller, more defined cheek could be in your future and your future could be looking very bright indeed.

Chin Implants

When it comes to general ideas of beauty, facial symmetry ranks high on the beauty chain. Studies have shown that symmetrical faces are more appealing and attractive to both sexes and can affect they way we feel about ourselves or the way others feel about us. Few are born with perfectly symmetrical faces and most can highlight or minimize their strengths and weaknesses with make-up or hairstyles. However, some asymmetries stand out more than others, making the face look off balance. This can make a person feel self-conscious or, even worse, damage their self-confidence.

Chins play a big role in facial symmetry. Not only do chins help to balance out a face, the size of a chin also correlates to the perception of a person’s masculinity or femininity. Men typically have larger chins and women have smaller chins. On top of all of this, the size of a chin can affect how other parts of the face look: small chins can make noses look bigger while big chins can make noses look smaller.

This all adds up to the many ways a chin can affect a person’s overall appearance. For those with chins that do not project or who have very small chins, chin implants can be a viable option.

What are chin implants?

Chin implants are permanent devices attached to the chin to balance the face and profile. They are normally made out of a hard silicone and can be custom made for an individual’s face to achieve the correct size and projection. There are several measurement “tests” you and your physician can do to determine if your face would benefit from a chin implant, as well as the correct size and shape appropriate for your face. The incisions for most chin implants are discreetly made under the chin so that scars are not easily visible.

How is a chin implant placed?

All Chin Implants begin in advance with a consultation with your physician. It is at this meeting that your physician can analyze your facial features and symmetry and find out about your goals, concerns and expectations. Sometimes Chin Implants are performed in conjunction with other procedures, most notably rhinoplasty and face lifts. The procedure can be done under general anesthesia or twilight anesthesia and is normally conducted on an outpatient basis.

An incision is made (usually under the chin) and the implant is attached to the bone of the chin. Depending on the individual needs, sutures or mini-screws may be used to attach the implant. You will be able to return to work in about a week’s time. Initially your face may be bruised and feel swollen. The swelling will peak on the third day after the surgery but will rapidly diminish after that. Sutures are typically removed about 7-10 days after the surgery and you can return to all normal activities in about three to four weeks time.

Due to the swelling it may be difficult to determine the new size of your chin immediately after the surgery. Some patients may initially feel that their chin looks too big. However, after the swelling has diminished and the chin has had the time to heal, the new size and shape is apparent as well as the overall aesthetically pleasing balance to the face and profile.

What are the potential risks and complications for chin implants?

All elective surgeries carry some risk, but these complications are rare. Infection, prolonged bruising or swelling, and implant slippage are some of the risks associated with chin implants. Infection can also be a risk, especially if screws are used to attach the implant.

Ultimately, chin implants, by balancing out facial symmetry and profiles, offer you not only improved appearance but can greatly boost self-esteem and self-confidence. Perhaps times have changed. Maybe it’s time to not only put your best foot forward, but your best face as well.

Dr. Boris Volshteyn, our board certified plastic surgeon, specializes in cheek implant surgery.  Call our office today for more information or to schedule a consultation 732-641-3350