Cheek Implants. Do They Require Replacements? Risks?

The cheek implants are placed through an intraoral approach and directly over the bone. The implants feel just like the patient’s own bone if placed in the proper position.  Remember, they are not placed in the subcutaneous position and are not mobile.  They are placed underneath the periosteum directly over the bone so they are immobile, fixed and feel just like the patient’s own anatomy.  Once they are in place, the implant should never need to be replaced. Breast implants are a soft tissue augmentation and are quite mobile and are a completely different style of implant than cheek implants which are fixed, stable, and are directly attached to the bone.

When properly placed  most cheek implants will last a lifetime and not have to be replaced. They tend to feel just like your cheek and most patients feel like they have always been there as part of their normal anatomy after several months.

Cheek augmentation with implants can work very well to improve the appearance of the face.  There are different types of implants that can be used, but these are all solid implants and not liquid, like a breast implant.  Because the cheek implants are solid, under normal circumstances, they do not need to be replaced.  The implants are placed on top of the cheek bone, so they are underneath all of the soft tissue of the cheek.  You can potentially feel the implants but it should not feel much different than just feeling the bone on your cheek now.