Cheek implants are the most permanent augmentation solution.
Dr. William Portuese, a facial plastic surgeon in Seattle, says that implants are “manufactured in a large array of thicknesses, sizes, and shapes.” Made of silicone, Medpor (porous polyethylene), Gortex, or hydroxyapatite (a substance much like tooth enamel and bone), implants can be inserted into different areas of the cheek.
Malar implants are placed on the cheekbones, whereas submalar implants are secured in the midcheek, to make your face look less gaunt. A combination of the two creates full facial volume.
“In our practice, we place cheek implants under general anesthesia, as an outpatient procedure,” Dr. Portuese continues. “The implants themselves are inserted through an intraoral incision [aka through the mouth].”
A small incision is made just above the top of the gumline inside the mouth, and a pocket is created to slide the implant just over the bony surface of the cheekbone, under the skin. The incision is hidden, so you won't have visible scars.
Once the implant is positioned, it may be secured with a permanent screw. The whole procedure takes about one hour.
You'll need up to a week of recovery time, though the recovery itself is relatively easy. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication to help keep you more comfortable during the first few days of recovery.
You may have temporary facial numbness or lack of sensitivity, which can last up to three months as nerve endings heal. Most of the swelling and bruising will subside within two weeks.
Because you’ll have stitches in your mouth, you have to brush very carefully in order to not disrupt the gumline until the stitches dissolve. You’ll also be on a liquid diet for the first 24 hours, and you’ll have to avoid foods with hard or sharp edges for six to eight weeks after surgery.
With your doctor’s permission, you should be able to return to work within a week. When the swelling fully subsides (which can take as long as six weeks), you’ll be able to see your full results.
