Facial Implants

When a person's facial structure is inadequate, his or her appearance may be unbalanced or lack of prominence. This problem may be subtle or it may be very noticeable.

Fortunately in many cases, a facial implant can bring the facial features into balance and make a significant improvement in one's appearance. Facial implants can be placed to augment your cheeks, chin or jaw.

How To Know If a Facial Implant Is Right For You

When a person is young, the chin, jawline and cheeks are voluminous and projected. Over time, that fullness can get lost as tissue degrades. In some cases, the underlying bone structure was never adequate in the first place, so the cheeks or chin were always lacking in prominence.

Certain injectable fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse, are regularly used to temporarily restore volume to facial features, but facial implants offer a more permanent solution for jawline, chin and cheek augmentation.

Facial Implant Options

Facial implants are made of silicone rubber and shaped to produce a natural facial contour and augment specific areas. They come in different sizes and may be used to add projection to the cheeks or chin. They may be sewn or sutured into place or fastened with screws. In either method, the facial implant will be secured in place.

Chin implants increase the size and projection of a chin that does not project in proportion with the forehead, nose and cheeks. A small or recessed chin seems to disappear into your neck rather than appear as a distinct facial feature.

Jaw implants increase the width of the lower third of your face. Much like the chin, a weak jaw is not well-defined and distinct from the neck, or it slopes rather than angles from your ear to your chin.

Cheek implants increase cheekbone projection, adding the youthful appearance of volume to areas that are recessed or flat.

How Facial Implant Surgery Is Performed

Incisions in the mouth are often used during the placement of facial implants, producing small scars that are completely hidden. During chin augmentation, the implant may also be placed through an incision underneath the chin instead of through the mouth. Sometimes facial implants are placed during another facial plastic surgery procedure, such as a facelift, neck lift or chin liposuction procedure.

The recovery period after having a jaw or chin implant, as well as cheek implants, is about 1-2 weeks. Residual tingling or swelling may last longer, but most bruising and discomfort will be resolved in this time frame, and most routine activities may be resumed. You will be able to see nearly final facial implant surgery results within a few months.

If You're Interested In Facial Implants

If you're in Paramus, Paterson, Saddle River, Ridgewood, NJ or other surrouding communities and interested in facial implants to add volume to the cheeks or fix a weak chin or jawline, contact the New Jersey plastic surgery offices of Dr. John Cozzone. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cozzone and his helpful staff can tell you learn more about facial implant surgery in New Jersey and help you decide whether jaw, cheek or chin implants can help you achieve your cosmetic goals.