Cheek implants give fullness to flat cheekbones. They can be placed to give you more projection laterally, frontally, or both. It is important to define this with your surgeon.

Once upon a time only bone or cartilage grafts were used - now there are other options.

The commonest materials used in the clinic for cheek augmentation are

• Coral
• Silicone
• Gortex

Facial Analysis

Beauty is not an exact science but interestingly studies do confirm there are important specific proportions and relationship of facial parts that blend to an attractive look.

Importantly computer measurement and visualization of the impact of change prior to the surgery can be achieved by computer imaging. The face is evaluated from its frontal view and then its lateral (side view) and probably most importantly the oblique angle for contours such as the cheek bones, chin and nose.

A personal assessment:

In a frontal view,

• A line joins the lateral angle of the lip to the lateral most angle of the eyelids.
• Another line projects from the tragus or front nodule of the ear to the inferior edge of the nasal base.
• The area behind and above the junction of these two projections should the most prominent area of the cheek.
• The chin should lie 2-3 mm behind the line drawn from the mid point of the nose through the margin of the upper lip

Implant Materials

Coral / Hydroxy Apatite. Hydroxyapatite is a component of bone. It is a calcium phosphate mineral that is also found in sea coral.

Plastic surgeons use hydroxyapatite implants made from sea coral that have been treated so that their structure and chemical make-up is almost identical to the hydroxyapatite of human bone. When implanted into the body the implant is accepted by the body and because of its porous nature allows normal tissue integration to take place.

Hydroxyapatite implants solidify and the result after 3-4 days is permanent. Generally coral is bio-inert, there is some debate as to whether a portion of the implant turns into bone.

Coral implants are injected through a small incision. These incisions can be placed at the outer aspect of the eye or inside the nose or mouth.

My favoured approach for most patients is scarless and through the mouth. The limited surgery enhances early return to normal activity. The ability to mould an individual look and easily revised if greater projection is required makes this a surgeon and patient friendly device.

Silicone Implants: Solid but flexible Silicone has been used as a material for facial implants for over 40 years

These implants are esigned to enhance soft tissue areas and thus underlying facial structure. The implant is quickly encapsulated by scar tissue. It is this encapsulation, which stabilises the implant’s position.

What to Expect During and After Cheek Implant Surgery:

• Anaesthesia: Sedation or general.
• Location of operation: clinic or hospital.
• Length of surgery: 45-60 minutes for cheek implants.
• Length of stay: Outpatient (home same day).
• Discomfort: Mild to moderate. Anticipate 2-7 days of pain medication.
• Bruising: Uncommon.
• Swelling: 2-3 weeks following cheek implants. You can reduce swelling through constant head elevation and frequent application of ice.
• Stitches: If the incisions are inside your mouth, then absorbable stitches will be used and do not require removal.
• Make-up: May be worn the day after surgery.
• Recovery: You will be presentable in one to two weeks.
• Work: Generally within 2-5 days, but your appearance will be the limiting factor.
• Exercise: May be resumed in 2 weeks.
• Final result: Will be seen between one and two months.
• Costs Vary according to procedure and nature of implant.

Contact Dr Peter Dixon today using our simple online enquiry form, for more information on the Cheek Implant procedure.

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