Is It Possible To Use A Real Bone Implant For Cheeks Vs. A Synthetic?

asked 7 months ago by Alexnyc1 in New York, NY
Latest answer by Richard W. Fleming, MD
Question viewed 132 times
Tags: alternative, bone, normal, risk

Hi, i am having a lower jaw surgery soon and i wanted to have a cheek implant during the same surgery. My doctor does not reccommend cheek implants due to the complications it might arise, he said they might use a bone taken from my own body(thighs) to augment to cheekbone area. What would you suggest in this case? Is this operation too invasive? Should i just get fillers instead every year? Thank you

6 answers to Is It Possible To Use A Real Bone Implant For Cheeks Vs. A Synthetic?

Is It Possible To Use A Real Bone Implant For Cheeks Vs. A Synthetic?

I have performed many cheek augmentation procedures using fillers and cheek implants and IMHO, this would not offer any real advantage to using the silastic cheek implants. In fact, harvesting the bone and creating the proper aesthetic shape from that harvested bone would be near impossible, IMO. Go for the silastic cheek implants.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

drfrancispalmer.com

Bone Graft vs Synthetic Implant or Fillers for Cheek Augmentation

I do not recommend harvesting bone from your hip or thigh for cheek augmentation because this is a very difficult, involved procedure. Although there is a slight risk of infection with silastic cheek implants, this is very rare and these implants offer a permanent solution, rather than fillers, most of which are not permanent.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cheek implants

I don't know of many surgeons who would use bone for cheek augmentation. Obtaining symmetric shape, position and survival of the graft is a huge task. This is one area where synthetic implants usually do well if positioned and secured properly. Alternatively fillers can often provide a nice substitute without surgical risk.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Radiesse injected deep against the cheek bones will correct flat cheeks..

Hi. 1) As you can see, there are different opinions. I personally think cheek implants are almost obsolete, because there is a high incidence of problems with them. They can be very difficult to remove or reposition, and they may not age well. 2) You can get nice "apple cheeks" much more easily and safely with well done fillers or with fat transfer. Radiesse applied deeply against the cheek bones is just an office visit, and... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Cheek implants correct flat cheeks vs. fillers or bone.

Cheek implants correct flat cheeks vs. fillers or bone at the lowest cost with the best results. Silicone implants can have an infection at the time of surgery, but this is quite not common.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bone Grafts Are A Poor Substitute For Synthetic Cheek Implants

Sybthetic implants are the best choice for cheek augmentation in the long run. Placing them during your lower jaw surgery would be a perfect opportunity to have it done. I don't know why your surgeon would make that statement about cheek implants as that has not been my experience or the experience of most plastic surgeons. Perhaps your surgeon is just not familiar with doing them or has limited experience. I most certainly would not use or harvest bone as an alternative to cheek... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

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Is It Possible To Use A Real Bone Implant For Cheeks Vs. A Synthetic?