This Article Has Been Medically Approved By
If you would like more defined, proportionate facial features, you should consider facial implants. The results attained with facial implants are permanent. Facial implants are frequently used to balance the cheekbones and chin with the rest of the face.
At Sunrise Facial and Oral Surgery, Dr. King Kim may be able to give you the facial characteristics you desire. Read on to find out how facial implants can improve your overall appearance.
Who Should Consider Facial Implants?
Anyone who is in good health and has reasonable expectations as to what facial implants can accomplish is a good candidate for facial implants.
People who frequently consider facial implant surgery include those who:
- Have a weak chin and would like to improve their profile by increasing its projection
- Feel as if their cheeks became flat and want to add volume
- Want to contour their face
- Want to correct flaws that were caused by trauma
Preparing for Your Facial Implant Surgery
If you decide to opt for facial implant surgery, you and your doctor will discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used. There are patients who prefer to remain somewhat coherent during their procedure. These patients receive an oral sedative and local anesthesia (i.e., twilight anesthesia); whereas, other patients would rather sleep through their surgery get general anesthesia.
While preparing for your procedure, be sure to express your expectations to Dr. Kim. This will help him determine if what you would like to achieve is possible. Consider bringing in photos of people with the features that you would like to help demonstrate your desired look.
Before your surgery, you will receive special instructions from your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. These instructions will include guidelines for eating, drinking, smoking, and avoiding certain medications and vitamins before your procedure.
How Will a Facial Implant Improve My Overall Appearance?
These implants are not designed to make you look like someone else, they are meant to enhance your natural features. The goal of facial implant surgery is to achieve harmony and balance in facial structures.
In some cases, facial implants can be used to mask a jaw discrepancy. Implants can also supplement jaw repositioning surgery, correcting shape irregularities that appear after surgery. These are the types of changes that can occur to your appearance with each procedure Dr. Kim offers:
Chin Implants
Chin implants can be used to reshape a small, misshapen, or recessed chin, as well as to improve an individual’s lip posture and facial profile. To ensure proper facial proportion following surgery, many rhinoplasty (nose surgery) patients choose to get a chin implant placed during the same surgical session. This implant can bring the chin forward, making the face appear more proportionate.
Cheek Implants
Cheek implants are available in various shapes and sizes. These implants can be used to add volume to a sunken, tired-looking face. This restores an individual’s youthful appearance. To achieve a personalized result, cheek implants can be placed either on or beneath the cheekbone.
Cheek Augmentation Surgery
Cheek augmentation can bring volume and fullness back to your face. If the cheek augmentation is being performed during the same surgical session as some other procedures (eyelid surgery, browlift, or a facelift), these implants can be placed using the incisions that are created to complete those procedures. A combination of these procedures can help you achieve an overall brighter, more awake and youthful appearance, without making you look too stiff or unnatural.
If other procedures are not being done, an incision is created in one of two places: either inside your upper lip or your lower eyelid. Once the incision is created, Dr. King Kim inserts the implant into the pocket he created and then secures it in place. This is done to make sure your face looks as normal and natural as possible.
Recovering from Facial Implant Surgery
You will receive instructions after your procedure. These instructions may include activity restrictions as well as dietary restrictions.
Once your facial implant is complete, a dressing may be applied. This dressing is designed to minimize the amount of discomfort and swelling you might experience. You may also experience difficulty moving your lips and your mouth; however, this is a temporary symptom. Dissolvable stitches, on the other hand, dissolve within 10 days. With a chin implant, the tape is applied to keep the sutures in place. These will be removed in seven to 10 days by Dr. Kim.
For a quick and healthy recovery, you should ensure that you are equipped with the following:
- Freezer bags
- Ice
- Clean gauze
- Creams or ointments that are recommended by your surgeon
- Mouthwash
- Soft foods (e.g., pudding, protein shakes, ice cream, etc.)
Interested in Facial Implants?
If you are interested in facial implants, please contact our office today! Let Dr. Kim help you attain the facial features you desire. We have an office in Melbourne and Rockledge. To contact our Melbourne office, call 321.725.5377 and for our Rockledge office call 321.255.7724.
