Cheek Augmentation Surgery- Cheek Implant Basics

What is a cheek implant? Cheek implants happen to be a top-notch method of improving and augmenting the contours of the face. For plumping up cheeks there’s more than one form of implant; each has different kinds of materials. Here are a few reasons why you’d want to get cheek implants.

At a fundamental level, cheek implants (also called cheek augmentation) help improve a person’s facial looks and boost self-esteem. Cheek implants let a face develop a more proportional and balanced appearance. Cheek implants on older patients allow a face a fuller look, especially if the face is looking sunken in, drawn, or aged. At times younger women having flat cheekbones go for cheek implants to get the chic high cheekbone look of fashion models.

Lift and fullness are the top reasons for making a choice to go under the knife and have cheek implants done. Cheek implants can be implanted laterally, frontally, or sometimes even both. The first consultation a patient has with the surgeon will identify what is required for her to get the desired look.

There are, of course, risks for any type of cosmetic surgery procedures. Bruising, bleeding, infection, numbness, scarring and swelling are an issue with any operation undertaken. The risks specific to check augmentation include the possibility the cheek implant could spontaneously shift location in the face, and that the patient won’t be happy with their new facial look after it is done.

Cheek augmentation comes in five different types of materials. The choices are hydroxyapatite, silastic, gore-tex, polyethylene, and cadaver bone. Hydroxyapatite is a ceramic that resembles sea coral and is chemically similar to bone and hard tissue. Silastic is an inert silicone rubber, that is both solid and flexible and is used for prosthetics. Polyethylene also looks like coral but it is a plastic. Yes, Gore-tex is actually the same material that is used to manufacture raincoats; one of it’s advantage is that it does not get rejected by the body and so is permanent. The last, cadaver bone is self-evident. It is sterilized bone that is taken from human donors who have passed away.

Cheek augmentation can be performed in different methods and as previously noted, the needs of each patient will be the final factor as to what method the surgeon settles on. In general, what occurs during cheek implant surgery is that a “pocket” is created over the tissue of the cheek, which enables the implant to properly fit inside. The implant incision is put in one of three places- the conjunctiva (or inner surface of the eye), inside the mouth or in the crease lines outside the eye. The cheek implants may be either solid or porous, and that depends on the patient also.

Cheek implant surgery is most often done on an outpatient basis and is conducted under either general or local anesthetic, whichever the patient prefers. Cheek augmentation surgery takes an average of 45 to 60 minutes to perform.

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By Antoinette Boulay