Facial implant surgery can help you feel more comfortable in your skin by adding definition and structure to the areas of your face that lack it, such as your chin and cheeks. Dr. Thompson offers chin and cheek implants to patients in the Denver area seeking balance, symmetry, and harmony in their facial appearance
What are Facial Implants?
Facial implants are small pieces of silicone that are inserted underneath the skin to augment your facial structure. Implants are most commonly installed in the cheeks, jaw, or chin to improve facial balance or provide structure where it is lacking.
All facial features differ in shapes and sizes. For example, when a person’s chin is well-defined, it creates balance between their nose, neck, ears, lips, eyes, and cheeks. However, if the chin is weak or recessed, there may be little visual distinction between their neck and face, distracting from their overall facial aesthetics. A small chin can even make a patient’s nose appear larger than it is. Both of these features can be noticed from the front and the side profile. In such cases, facial implants become ideal in providing proportion to other facial features and creating a more balanced appearance.
Ideal Candidates
Facial implants are great for anyone who may be unsatisfied with their natural facial shape or bone structure. Before being considered for facial implants, the patient must have already developed their adult facial structure. Smokers are at a much higher risk for complications, so it is not advised to seek facial implants if you cannot quit for the time that it takes to recover fully. As with all cosmetic procedures, it’s important to hold realistic expectations when considering surgery. Such topics can be discussed more in-depth during your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Thompson.
Your Facial Implant Consultation
A consultation is a crucial part of a patient’s journey, allowing them to ask questions and get to know their plastic surgeon. They will meet with Dr. Thompson one-on-one at our Denver practice and discuss their goals and expectations. Dr. Thompson can evaluate a patient’s face and determine whether facial implant surgery is a good fit. If it is, he can create a custom treatment plan and explain the procedure and recovery process in great detail.
The Facial Implants Surgery
Since facial implants are available in various sizes, shapes, and materials, this is a highly customizable procedure. While chin implants are usually made of solid silicone, some are comprised of GoreTex or artificial bone. After understanding a patient’s aesthetic goals, Dr. Thompson will design a personalized surgical plan.
Several incisions must be made to install facial implants. The exact number depends on the procedure in question, but most can be performed in an inconspicuous fashion. Both chin and cheek incisions can be hidden inside the mouth.
The surgeon makes the smallest incisions necessary to insert the implant. Depending on the patient’s surgical plan, Dr. Thompson may make a small incision underneath the chin or inside of the mouth. Once the incision is made, he’ll place the implant(s) adjacent to the patient’s jawbone or cheekbone and then ensure that it is secure. The procedure will end when he places sutures to close the incision.
Once the surgery is completed, the final product becomes more and more apparent as the body heals and swelling decreases.
Recovery
The downtime for this procedure is usually 10-14 days. When dissolvable stitches aren’t used, sutures will normally be removed within one week. It can take a few more weeks for all swelling and bruising to go away, so it is necessary to be patient during this time.
FAQs about Facial Implants
Chin and cheek implants are solid and made of a material that will not resorb, meaning that they will never go away. Most patients who undergo such facial implant surgery enjoy their new and improved chin for the rest of their life.
Dr. Thompson takes special care to minimize scarring to the greatest degree. Incisions will be placed in areas that are not visible or that are very difficult to see externally.
As with any invasive procedure, facial implant surgery does come with some possible risks. These include swelling, bruising, and puffiness. Some possible complications are sensation loss, infection, pain, bleeding, asymmetry, and poor wound healing. Fortunately, when a skilled surgeon performs this procedure, these complications are infrequent.
If a patient is not ready to commit to a surgical procedure and is looking for a less-invasive way to improve the appearance of their face, they may be a good candidate for dermal filler injections. Although the results from these injections are not permanent, they can help a patient determine whether they’d like to move forward with a surgical procedure.
Schedule a Facial Implants Consultation in Denver Today!
If you’re wondering whether you’re the right candidate for facial implant surgery, don’t hesitate to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Thompson in his Denver office. Call (303) 667-1474 to schedule an appointment today!
