The cheeks are a very big part of the face, and can easily determine a person’s impression. A lack of cheeks can result in a gaunt expression, leaving the person looking far older than what their real age is. This can be countered by having cheek implants inserted via cheek implant surgery.
Cheek implant surgery can be done by placing implants over the cheekbone, or directly into the cheeks themselves. And because cheek implant surgery requires the same incisions as other procedures like face lifts, the implants are often placed in conjunction with these other procedures in order to save time and save the patient from double the physical trauma.
The cheek implants themselves can be made from an array of different materials. The most common of which is silicone, which is used in other implants such as breast and butt implants. Silicone does not integrate with tissue and bone, which means it can be removed if the patient desires. However, silicone can run the risk of moving around, and can be dislodged, which can cause complications.
Other materials, such as Medpor and Gore-Tex, allow for integration with tissue and bone because they are inert materials. This has the positive of having a more stable implant, and the negative of being more difficult to remove if the patient decides to do so. This can also prove to be troublesome if revisions and changes are needed.
There are three shapes of cheek implants. These are the malar, submalar, and a combination of the two. The malar implants are the ones placed directly on the cheekbones in order to augment the contour of the side of the face, while the submalar implants are placed directly into the cheeks to enhance the midface to eliminate a sunken or gaunt appearance. The combined malar and submalar implant is an extended implant placed to augment both the cheekbones and the midface.
The cheek implant procedure demands an incision be made in the upper mouth, near the top of the gums. The implants are then inserted through this incision and put in place. This type of entry will not leave a visible scar, however, it is prone to infection because the mouth contains more bacteria. An alternative is having the incisions under the eyes. But while this might be less risky in terms of infection, this can leave a visible scar on the face.
The procedure will require anesthesia, or being put under, but will only take around one to two hours, depending on the doctor’s skill and the patient’s requirements. While it will only take about two weeks or so to fully recover from cheek implants, there could be risks of swelling and bruising, loss of sensation, or infection. It is highly recommended that patients take the prescribed drugs and follow the surgeon’s orders to the letter to hasten the healing process.