Flat Cheeks After Accident

Question

1 year ago I got into a car accident and had many facial cuts and fractures. I broke my forehead, nose, upper jaw and lower jaw. My entire face was reconstructed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I was happy with the results. I do notice that after the accident my cheeks are kinda flat and now I want cheek implants. Should I go back to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon or go to a plastic surgeon? My inclination is to go with the original surgeon since he already knows my case.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Yes, you should go to the original surgeon and if he does not do cheek implants as part of his practice see another experienced surgeon for a second opinion.

Tanuj Nakra, MD, FACS · Answer

The surgeon that performed the major operation to reconstruct your face is intimately knowledgeable with your particular anatomy and healing.  An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is certainly qualified to address your current issue.

	There may be residual post bony fracture reasons for your flat cheeks. Certainly implants are one option.  If however, the soft tissue and skin injury caused soft tissue contraction, then a better option might be fat grafting.  You might ask your surgeon to sort out the reasons for your current appearance and assess their comfort in addressing the cosmetic deformity.  If for some reason he/she is not comfortable in facial implants or fat grafting, you certainly have myriads of options in Los Angeles.

	I trained and spent signficant time in LA.  Other options in LA I can personally recommend for this type of problem include Drs. Mark Berman, Kenneth Steinsapir, Mehryar Taban,  Ronald Strahan, Jonathan Hoenig, and Jay Calvert.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Flat cheeks after a cheekbone fracture can be addressed through unilateral or bilateral cheek implants.  If both cheeks are flat then augment both cheeks a silastic implants.  These are placed through a gingival incision just above the upper tooth roots and inserted directly over the bone to augment a flat area.  If only one cheek bone has been fractured, then an implant it is put in on that side to balance with the original opposite side.  These are usually performed under general anesthesia.  It is best to have a surgeon perform these who has performed a lot of them and has excellent experience with that procedure.

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

Hi JenLA,

	Sorry to hear of your major facial injuries. Cheek augmentation may be required after the initial facial fracture repair due to decreased bone structure and facial volume. Once fractures heal, the cheeks can further be augmented with silicone facial implants or facial fillers. These silicone implants are placed via small incisions inside the mouth. Generally, one waits for at least 6 months from the initial surgery before considering such further procedures. Implants are placed by a variety of surgeons. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a surgeon help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

	Dr. Chaboki

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Many times after extensive facial fracture repair that involves the midface, the prominence of the cheeks may be diminished. This can happen even with the most accurate realignment of the fractured bone segments. This occurs due to soft tissue thinning from the trauma of the accident and the surgery. Cheek implants can be a good secondary reconstructive procedure. It is important to get the right style and size of cheek implants to get a good result. Your original surgeon would be well qualified to perform this surgery and getting her/her opinion is a good place to start. It would be expected that there would be scar and even some plates and screws in the path of re-entry over the cheeks but this does not prevent a good cheek augmentation outcome.

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Flat Cheeks After Accident

Answers (9)

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Answer: Cheek Implants For Secondary Facial Augmentation After Fracture Repair

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