A Chin Implant Can Produce a Dramatic Improvement in Facial Profile and Balance - By: Dave Stringham

In plastic surgery, cheek implants may be used concurrently with other facial rejuvenation or enhancement techniques such as facelift or rhinoplasty, or as a stand alone procedure to produce a desirable aesthetic change which is augmentation or enhancement of the cheek region. High cheek bones (malar bones) can be a desirable trait that not all of us are born with. Furthermore, as part of the aging process, we tend to lose the youthful fullness underneath the cheeks, which can impart a "hollowed" look to the face (this area beneath the cheeks is called the submalar space).

For men, cheek implants placed over the malar bones can create a more masculine, assertive appearance, whereas in women cheek implants can change a long, oval shaped face to a more attractive heart shape. Similarly, submalar implants are used in men and women to fill the concavity or hollowness below the cheeks (called the submalar space), creating a more youthful and energetic appearance.

Cheek implants are inserted through small incisions on the inside of the upper lip, which heal in approximately one week. A relatively minor procedure, cheek implants may be placed using only local anesthesia or with deeper sedation for patient comfort. Most implants are constructed from solid silicone, which adheres to the underlying bone and is very difficult to feel.

While rare, complications may include infection or displacement of the implant requiring removal or repositioning. Over the years the art and science of facial contouring with cheek implants has evolved significantly, and there are many different styles and shapes to choose from. A successful outcome requires choosing the right size and shape of implant, and then placing that implant in the right location.

A small or weak chin, like a disproportionate nose, can affect the overall harmony of a face. Whether done at the time of nasal surgery or facelift surgery, or as a separate procedure, a chin implant can produce a dramatic improvement in facial profile and balance. The implant is inserted generally through a small incision beneath the chin. Plastic surgeons commonly use silastic anatomic shaped chin implants, which produce a very natural look and feel. Occasionally, mersilene mesh style chin implants, which allow ingrowth of our own tissue, are custom made for specific patients.

The implant is placed over the bone of the lower mandible, along the border of the chin in a precise pocket. It is then secured in a central position with temporary suture. The procedure can usually be done with local or intravenous anesthesia, and patients are able to return home immediately following chin implant surgery. The chin may be taped for several days to decrease swelling. Pain is generally minimal, and most patients return to work within several days to one week.

Side effects include mild swelling and numbness around the chin which is temporary. The rate of long term complications with a chin implant, such as infection or malposition, is extremely low and patients report very high long- term satisfaction with this relatively minor procedure.

About the Author

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in San Diego, California and plastic surgery procedures such as cheek implants, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, and nasal contouring.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dave-Stringham/25650

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