Chin & Cheek Implants

Chin and Cheek Augmentation

Along with your nose, your chin and cheeks play an important role in the overall symmetry of your face. For those hoping to enjoy a higher level of overall balance to their face, cheek implants can be used to create more prominent, defined cheekbones, while chin implants can be used to create a more defined profile and distinguished jawline.

Whether used separately or together, these chin and cheek augmentation procedures can help give you the shape and dimension you desire for your face. For more information about the procedures can help you, please read below to learn more about them or call us today at (646) 844-5683 to schedule a consultation at our Staten Island office.

Chin Augmentation

If you feel that your chin is not shaped right in relation to the rest of the face, you should consider undergoing a chin augmentation or chin implant procedure. A chin implant is a surgical procedure to reshape or enhance the size of the chin, and can be done by either reshaping or moving the bones or by inserting an implant.

A chin implant is affixed over the existing bone structure of your lower jaw to increase its dimensions and produce the desired outcome. The appearance of the chin implant will vary according to its material — implants made from soft, flexible, rubbery materials can be inserted easily, via a small incision, while silicone implants are shaped like the narrow chin guard of a sports helmet, allowing your doctor to carve the implant further, adjusting its shape for a custom fit.

Before & After

Stronger chin appearance after chin implant.

Why Should I Choose Chin Implant Surgery?

Considering the many benefits you can expect, there are several reasons why you'd choose to have a chin augmentation procedure. Chin implant surgery can help to define an underdeveloped chin or give it more prominence, making your face appear longer or fashioning a chin that is wider or stronger. Chin augmentation can be done at the time of a face or neck lift to help define the jawline.

That being said, not everybody is an ideal candidate for a chin implant procedure, since your jaw and teeth must be functioning properly for this procedure to truly be successful. In addition, your immune system must also function well to reduce the risk of infection after the operation.

You should avoid a chin augmentation procedure if you suffer from hypertension or cardiac problems, take anticoagulants, have unreasonable expectations about the outcome of the procedure, or have taken Accutane® in the past six months (since it's known to affect bone growth and causes keloid scarring).

Should I Consider A Chin Implant?

While there are a number of reasons why someone would consider getting a chin implant, one of the most common is a small chin, or retrognathia, where the side profile in particular can show the effects of an underdeveloped chin, especially when you have a rounded face which can cause the neck to appear heavier and the nose to appear bigger.

Other common reasons why you'd want to consider chin augmentation surgery include:

Recessed Chin

If you have a recessed chin, the surgeon can study the shape of your chin and look for the best implant which can be inserted so that your chin can achieve the best possible look you deserve.

Pointed or Squared Chin

If you have a squared or pointed chin, a chin implant and the hand of a skilled doctor can help you achieve a more well-rounded look.

Prominent Nose

While rhinoplasty is definitely an option to correct a larger than normal nose, sometimes it's a matter of your face's proportions being off due to an imbalanced chin.

Fleshy Neck

For those with chubby chins, the flesh can be reshaped through chin reduction surgery for you always to enjoy a natural looking chin.

Since the aim of cosmetic chin implants is to add definition to the jaw, as well as balancing the appearance of your nose and face in general, it's actually quite common for our patients to have additional plastic surgery procedures performed at the same time as their chin implant surgery, such as rhinoplasty, cheek implants, and lip augmentation.

Your In-Person Consultation

During the initial consultation, your surgeon will explain the different options of chin implants available to you, the augmentation procedure itself, as well as its risks and limitations. He will examine your face, and its skin and bone structure, to determine the right application and procedure for you and your desires, as well as recommend the type of anesthesia to be used during the operation.

Computer Imaging

From there, some advanced computer imaging software will be used to plan the changes to your facial structure and provide an accurate visual reference, allowing you to see how the appearance for your face and profile will likely change depending on the type of chin implants used.

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Scheduling Your Procedure

After your consultation, you'll schedule your appointment to have the procedure performed. Depending on the decisions you and the doctor have made, your chin augmentation surgery can be done in an outpatient surgery center or in our office, and can be performed in combination with other facial surgical procedures, such as jaw implants, cheek implants, lip lift, blepharoplasty, and facelift surgery.

The Chin Implant Procedure

If your chin implants are made from silicone, your doctor will make a small incision under your chin and if your chin augmentation procedure is being performed at the same time as a face lift, the same incision below your chin will be used for both procedures.

If you've opted for a chin advancement, the incision will be made within the lip to alow for a pocket to be created in front of the chin under the muscles to allow for the implant to be attached to the jawbone using screws or sutures. At the end of the operation, the chin is often taped to reduce swelling.

The surgery takes 30 to 45 minutes, but may take longer if a combination of surgical procedures is being performed at the same time.

Your Recovery Period

Immediately after surgery, the doctor will apply a dressing that will remain in place for two to three days. During this time, you may experience some tenderness and chewing may also be limited. As such, it's recommendable you stick to a soft and liquid food diet for the first week.

You may feel pain and discomfort for several days which can be eased by over the counter pain medications. Smiling, talking and other facial movements may also be difficult for the first week and as a preventative measure, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

The recovery time from a chin implant surgery depends on whether the procedure was done alone or in combination with other procedures. If it was done alone, you should feel fine the day of the surgery. Your chin and the area around it may feel tight due to the body’s swelling response and the increased volume provided by the implant.

In the first few days, it is important to keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and you should rinse your mouth with salt water after eating to keep debris off the sutures. In addition, you should avoid engaging in strenuous activities on the day of the surgery as well as for the first few days afterwards and should be able to return to your normal activities within a week.

Cheek Augmentation

High, well-proportioned cheeks create a facial balance, highlight your eyes and accentuate your smile.

As a person ages, the face loses fat, which leads to the cheeks becoming saggy. As a result, your jaw and nose may appear more prominent and your eyes may look hollow and sunken, distorting your natural appearance and the balance within your face.

Depending on your needs and goals, you may even opt for a cheek lift procedure instead.

In some cases, you might not be born with the natural, high cheekbones you desire and the best way to achieve a sculpted look you want, especially when you're younger, is to undergo a cheek augmentation procedure.

Similar to chin implants, cheek augmentation procedures are a relatively simple and common plastic surgery procedure. That being said, there are a number of things you should consider before scheduling a consultation to speak to one of the specialists here at Allure Plastic Surgery in New York for your cheek implant needs.

Choosing To Have Cheek Implant Surgery

There are many reasons why patients undergo cheek augmentation procedures. In most cases, patients are born with flat cheeks that are out of balance with the other facial features while in others aging is to blame, as the cheeks tend to sink and sag as one ages. In either case, the result is an older-looking face that may seem sulky.

Thankfully, the full cheeks and warm look they present can be achieved with a cheek augmentation procedure that will leave you looking and feeling young and beautiful.

Are There Risks Involved?

Generally speaking, cheek implants are very safe. Although there is a small risk of bleeding, allergy, infection, movement of the implant and bone absorption, those issues can be largely minimized by the hands of a skilled specialist.

While many of the post-surgical risks result from the use of local anesthesia, there are some additional risks to consider, such as the use of antidepressants, tobacco, and various other substances which can be avoided when the patient discloses this information during their initial consultation.

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When Should You Consider A Cheek Implant?

Cheek augmentation has become a common procedure, and it seems that anyone with the need and means can get cheek implants. However, several factors are taken into consideration before the surgeon can work their magic to transform your face.

The first consideration is age. As mentioned, cheek tissues tend to descend and sag as one grows old, so in some cases the surgeon may choose to work with the sagging tissue by performing a cheek lift or thread lift instead of using a cheek implant to deal with it.

For young people, on the other hand, implants are almost always recommended as there is no existing tissue to work with as required for a cheek lift procedure.

The second consideration is health, as you have to be generally healthy and, in particular, be free of sinus and dental issues.

As with most surgical procedures that require the use of a local anesthetic, the doctor will want your weight to be both healthy and stable prior to performing your surgery.

What Is the Procedure Like?

Cheek augmentation is a simple and amazingly fast procedure which typically takes about 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the method and technology used.

If you choose to go the non-surgical route, the doctor will use temporary injection fillers to help achieve the look you desire. While there are fewer risks involved with this process as compared to a surgical one, the results of this procedure typically fade within a few months to a year.

Two commonly used temporary injectable fillers include Juvederm and Restylane, while patients looking for permanent cheek augmentation results without surgery will be recommended Sculptra instead, as it helps plump cheeks and stimulate collagen production over time.

Permanent Implant Options

For patients seeking permanent cheek augmentation with immediate results, surgically affixed cheek implants are the best option.

These cheek implants are made of biocompatible synthetic materials that are safe to insert and achieve a permanent enhanced look and typically involve one of three different applications:

Malar implants are placed directly on the cheekbones to prove higher projection.
Submalar implants provide fuller cheeks, rounding out a gaunt or sunken look.
Combined implants can be used to augment both the cheeks and cheekbones.

Your In-Person Consultation

Some implants, such as hydroxyapatite implants, integrate with natural bone tissue and become part of the bone structure, while others, such as those made from silicone, can be removed later. In some cases, you may opt for a fat transfer injection instead of a silicone implant, but that option would require an additional or previous fat removal surgery — like a liposuction — to collect the necessary fat needed to be injected into your cheeks.

During your initial consultation with your doctor, you'll determine the best method to accomplish your desired results and then schedule your appointment for your surgery.

Schedule a Virtual Consultation

The Cheek Augmentation Procedure

Before the procedure begins, the surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the nerves, healing and easing any pain and discomfort during the surgery.

Then, your doctor will make incisions inside the upper lip, near the gums and inside the cheeks, where the implant can be inserted into a pocket created in the tissue. The implant is placed either on or below the cheekbones and is usually fixed with miniature titanium screws. Sutures, which ultimately are absorbed into the body harmlessly, are then used to close the incisions.

If the cheek augmentation surgery is done at the same time as other facial procedures, the implants will be inserted via the incisions used for that procedure.

Your Recovery Period

Although the sensitive nature of the surgical procedure demands optimal rest throughout the recovery period, the average recovery time for most patients is about one week. Immediately after the procedure, most patients report a sensation similar to the numbness felt after a dental procedure. The next day, normal feeling will return to your cheeks and mouth, though you may continue to experience some soreness due to swelling.

If you experience pain, your doctor will prescribe pain medication and recommend measures to alleviate your discomfort during the first few days following your procedure. In addition, antibiotics may be prescribed to minimize the risk of infection.

During the recovery period, patients should keep their heads elevated to prevent the implants from shifting out of position which shouldn't be too difficult since the common side effects, swelling, soreness, bruising, and black eyes, will compel most patients to stay indoors anyways.

Eating may be uncomfortable during the healing period and talking should also be limited for the first few days. As such, you will also be instructed to stick to a soft diet and rinse your mouth after eating to keep your sutures clear of debris.

During the first few weeks, you will probably need to limit some activities to avoid putting a strain on the sutures. You should be able to resume work and other normal activities within a week, but if you experience any unexpected side effects or have any specific concerns, you should contact your plastic surgeon immediately for assistance.

Post-surgical risks, like infections on the incision, are typically temporary and easily managed when treated with antibiotics. Other complications include shifting of the implants and rejection of donor tissues, if you choose to go with a fat transfer instead of a silicone implant, and these complications should be taken seriously as they may require an additional surgical procedure to correct.

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Cosmetic Chin Surgery: What Are My Options?

Chin augmentation is one of the best ways to balance your facial features and improve your profile. The procedure is simple and only requires local anesthesia, while a sliding genioplasty – an alternative option – is more involved and riskier. A chin implant should not affect your facial motion or alter your appearance when viewed head on unless you and your surgeon are attempting to lengthen your chin’s vertical height. For this, genioplasty is a little more effective.

Having concerns about implants is normal however, risk for things like infection is rare and they essentially become part of the body as they become enveloped in collagen. To increase dimension, the implant is strategically placed on top of the existing bone structure of your lower jaw, which produces a pleasing result. If you are still having concerns about the procedure, please speak with your Manhattan plastic surgeon, and he/she will help you resolve any questions.

Call our New York office today for a free consultation to discuss chin and cheek implants. For more information about the chin and cheek implant options available at our practice in New York, please get in touch with us online or call (646) 844-5683 to arrange a visit to our Manhattan or Staten Island office today.

Chin and Cheek Augmentation

Chin Augmentation

Before & After

Why Should I Choose Chin Implant Surgery?

Should I Consider A Chin Implant?

Recessed Chin

Pointed or Squared Chin

Prominent Nose

Fleshy Neck

Your In-Person Consultation

Computer Imaging

Scheduling Your Procedure

The Chin Implant Procedure

Your Recovery Period

Cheek Augmentation

Choosing To Have Cheek Implant Surgery

Are There Risks Involved?

When Should You Consider A Cheek Implant?

What Is the Procedure Like?

Permanent Implant Options

Your In-Person Consultation

Schedule a Virtual Consultation

The Cheek Augmentation Procedure

Your Recovery Period

Cosmetic Chin Surgery: What Are My Options?

Schedule a Consultation