Cheek Implants. Do They Require Replacements? Risks?

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. 

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.

Cheek implants made of polyethylene (a solid material) will not degrade over time. If they are secured with screws, they will not migrate either.  Although the implant will not change, your facial soft tissue will age the change in soft tissue overlying the implant may cause a chnage in facial appearance with age.  These volume changes can be treated with fillers, fat grafting, or surgical repositioning of the tissues.

 

 

 I have used Cheek Implants for Cheek Augmentation for 25 years and they can provide a significant aesthetic enhancement, to facial beauty, when properly performed.  I only use Silastic Implants that, in our practice, do not require suturing or screws to hold them in place.  There is no need to replace the implants and you can have them for life.  

 The main risk, IMHO, is the absolute need for the plastic and cosmetic surgeon to understand and follow the proper aesthetics of facial beauty for the creation of more aesthetically shaped cheeks and a naturally attractive face.  Implants come in hundreds of sizes, shapes and various materials....I only use a very select number of these implants and believe the rest are not aesthetically correct.  Hope this helps.