Chin Implants & Cheek Implants
in Boston MA

Chin and cheek implants are an excellent means of enhancing the facial profile Chin implants (mentoplasty) function to shape and contour the symmetry of the face. Cheek implants (malarplasty), otherwise known as malar (high cheek) or submalar (low cheek) augmentation, can add fullness and definition to the face. Chin surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with rhinoplasty (nose surgery). Cheek surgery is often performed along with a facelift procedure.

chin and cheek implants bryn mawr

Reasons For Considering A Chin And/Or Cheek Implant

  • Extend or augment the chin
  • Improve the definition of the facial profile
  • Bring the face into proportion
  • Round out the cheeks if they are hollow
  • Accentuate the upper cheeks providing a higher and fuller appearance

Who Is An Ideal Candidate To Have Chin Implants And Cheek Implants?

There aren’t any definite reasons a person would look to have their chin and cheeks augmented by these surgeries with Dr. Lin or a plastic surgeon. These are completely personal decisions. Here are some reasons a person would consider this surgery:

  • You have an undefined or weak jawline that recedes backwards and doesn’t frame your face or distinguish your neckline.
  • You have a weak chin and seek to improve your profile by increasing the projection of your chin.
  • You feel that your cheeks have flattened, and you want to return fullness.
  • You wish to add volume to your cheeks and add contour to your facial structure.
  • You want to correct facial issues caused by trauma or congenital conditions.

The Chin And Cheek Augmentation Procedure Explained

Chin Augmentation Procedure

To augment the chin, an implant is inserted in front of the jawbone. An incision is made either inside the mouth or below the chin on the outside to allow the implant to be positioned in a pocket just under the skin.

Cheek Augmentation Procedure

In cheek augmentation, incisions are made either through the lower cheek, inside the mouth, or below the bottom eyelid.  Both these procedures typically last 30 minutes to one hour.

Chin And Cheek Augmentation Recovery Process

Immediately following surgery, the face will be dressed using tape or bandages in order to minimize swelling. It is advised that the patient rest following surgery is to accelerate the healing process and reduce recovery time. The head should be kept elevated during the initial recovery phase. Patients may report pain following surgery which can be treated with oral medication. Any swelling or bruising of the face can be addressed using cold compresses. Although the occurrence of complications is rare, patients can reduce the risk of developing potential problems by carefully following the post-operative instructions.

What Is My Scarring Like After Chin Or Cheek Augmentation?

For these procedures, Dr. Lin can effectively hide the incision locations. For cheek augmentation, a plastic surgeon makes the incision either on the inside of the lower eyelid or in the mouth on the upper gumline. Both locations don’t leave a visible scar. For chin implants, the incision is usually made within the mouth along the lower lip, which doesn’t leave a visible scar. An alternate incision location is under the chin. Again, this incision leaves a minimal scar that is virtually invisible simply due to its location.

How Long Will My Results From Facial Implants Last?

Facial implants are permanent; your results will last for the rest of your life.

Do Chin Implants Appear Natural?

There are myriad of different available shapes and sizes of implants for chin augmentation. Dr. Lin works with patients to find the right implants that will augment your natural shape without looking artificial. Just as there are different chin shapes naturally, providing subtle size in the right places can turn a weak chin into a far stronger one and it will look completely like you were born with it.

Do Cheek Implants Look Natural?

One of the more unfortunate aspects of facial aging is the ongoing decline of collagen production. Every year after we celebrate our 20th birthday our production of collagen drops by one additional percentage point. This means that as we hit our 45th birthday, we’re working with 25 percent less collagen than in our younger days. Since collagen provides the structural framework under our skin, this decline allows the formation of lines and creases, and it contributes to areas of volume loss.

The cheeks are one of those areas of volume loss. As we age, our cheeks flatten and sink. Augmenting your cheeks with implants does nothing more than returning the cheeks to the higher, fuller appearance of your younger days. This isn’t an unnatural look in any way; it is simply a younger look. And who among us couldn’t use a little of that?

Are These Chin Implants And Cheek Implants Safe?

The materials used for chin and cheek implants are silicone, polyethylene, and Gore-Tex. Silicone has been used to make implant shapes since the 1950s and has proven to be safe and enduring. Polyethylene implants are somewhat porous. This allows natural structures such as blood vessels to grow into the implant, firmly fusing it in place. Gore-Tex has been used for facial implants since the late 20th century. Like polyethylene, Gore-Tex implants are also somewhat porous, allowing natural elements to fuse with them.

Of note, all of these implant types have been tested, researched, and approved for use by the FDA.

What Are The Risks With These Surgeries?

These are generally straightforward procedures, and they involve common risks. Of course, like any surgery, there are risks with excessive bleeding, infection, and poor wound healing, but these are rare. The risks specific to facial implant surgeries are that the implants may shift or become mispositioned. The implants can sometimes be fractured by serious trauma. There is also a slight risk of infection around the implant. These are all uncommon.

How Painful Is Chin And Cheek Augmentation?

While facial augmentation always involves swelling and a feeling of tightness at the implant locations, there isn’t a good deal of pain. Although Dr. Lin will prescribe prescription pain medication, most patients feel they are fine using simply over-the-counter pain medication options.

Buccal Fat Removal

What Is Buccal Fat?

The buccal (cheek) fat pad is located in the mid/lower cheek area below the cheekbone. Different people have varying amounts of fat in this area, and the area increases and decreases according to weight fluctuations.

Why Is Buccal Fat Removed?

Patients may decide to have buccal fat removed in order to achieve an appearance of a slimmer cheek/jawline. This appearance also may be thought of as a more angular appearance though it may be more subtle depending on the patient and amount of fat able to be removed.

How Is Buccal Fat Removed?

Using an incision inside the cheek, the buccal fat is removed carefully from its surrounding structures. The scar heals usually well and is not visible from the outside. This procedure may be performed in the office or in the hospital.

Schedule Your Cheek & Chin Implant Consultation

If you’re interested in learning more about cheek & chin implants please contact us for a consultation at 617.632.7827 or fill out our contact us form below. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.

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