Cheek implants have a leg up on the other methods when it comes to restoring your midface volume. Fat and fillers dissolve over time. Permanent fillers and fat can also droop with time, making the problem worse. Cheek implants, on the other hand, are fixed to your cheek bone with the help of microscrews. This effectively ensures that they stay in place forever.
The biggest advantage of going for cheek implants is that they can be removed if you don’t like them. You would be hard pressed to find another option that is both permanent and reversible. A midface with the right proportion and volume is the golden standard of youthfulness, and facial plastic surgeons know this fact all too well.
What Are Cheek Implants Made of and How Do They Work?
Although cheek implants come in a variety of materials, surgical silicone is the most popular option. They look and feel completely natural, and the risk of rejection is extremely low.
The implants are anatomical in nature, which means they are designed to augment specific areas of your midface. Some of them are designed to augment the cheekbone area, while the others pad the area of your cheek that is just below your eyes. Your surgeon might choose to go for a combination of both to augment the entire midface.
Initial Consultation
During the initial consultation, discuss your cosmetic goals with your surgeon. He will evaluate your condition to see if you are an ideal candidate for cheek augmentation. If you have dental or gum problems, then you need to clear them up with your dentist first.
Since the implant is inserted through your mouth, it is important that treat any underlying oral problems before you go for a cheek augmentation. If the surgeon deems you fit, he will set a date for the surgery.
Preparing for the Procedure
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before the surgery. Stay hydrated in order to promote a speedy recovery. It is also important to avoid smoking for four weeks before the procedure as well as four weeks after the procedure. Avoiding smoking makes for a shorter healing period. The fact that the incisions for the procedure are made inside the mouth increases the need to avoid smoking.
Stop taking aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs two weeks before your surgery in order to avoid increased risk of bleeding.
Inserting Cheek Implants
Cheek augmentation is a relatively simple procedure. It can be performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation. The surgeon will make a small incision above your gums, through which he will insert the implant. The incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures that are absorbed by your body as you heal.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, so you will be free to go home in a couple of hours after the augmentation. You will experience some bruising and swelling at the surgical site, and these issues typically go away in less than a week.
Get Started with Your Cheek Augmentation
Cheek implants add volume and attractive contours to the cheeks. To enhance your facial structure, contact our office and arrange an appointment for a consultation. Dr. Andres Gantous, a skilled facial plastic surgery specialist, will be happy to help you achieve your beauty goals.