Facial Implants

Here you'll find information on:

• Best candidates for facial implants
• The procedure
• Complications and risks
• Alternative and additional treatments
• Consult a qualified surgeon
• Costs

Facial implant surgery can help you balance disproportionate facial features, strengthen a weak jaw line, or accentuate your cheekbones to create a more youthful appearance. Facial implants are FDA-approved plates inserted in front of the bone of the cheek, chin, jaw, or other areas of the face.

The best facial implant candidates are patients whose skin has loosened around the face, with the surrounding skin retaining enough elasticity to be repositioned successfully. A weakened jaw line, or the appearance of reduced bone structure, can be improved with facial implants. Implants may also work in other areas of the face. A consultation with a qualified maxillofacial surgeon is the best way to decide if you are a good candidate for facial implants.

Facial implants are most often performed by a board-certified maxillofacial surgeon. Surgery may be performed in an office surgical suite, outpatient surgery center, or hospital. Time in surgery is about 30 minutes to one hour. The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia (awake, but sedated) or general anesthesia (asleep). You can discuss the appropriate type of anesthesia with your maxillofacial surgeon and the anesthesiologist.

Typically, you can return home the same day, though sometimes an overnight stay at the hospital is needed.

The facial implant procedure varies depending on the type of implant. The most common facial implants are chin, cheek, or jaw implants. You may need more than one type of implant to achieve the results you're looking for.