Is it worthwhile getting permanent cheek implants, or are the cheek injections better?

Both implants and fillers in the cheeks can create good results for patients.  Both can build up the cheeks and help bring proportion to the face.  You must balance the pros and cons of each procedure and do what you feel is the best decision for you.Fillers:Pros:No downtimeReversibleQuickCons:TemporaryMore expensive in long runImplantsPros:PermanentGreat for patients with poor bone structureLess expensive overtimeNegative:Risks associated with surgeryPossible infectionDowntime

There are several factors that are important in trying to decide between cheek implants and injections.  Implants need to rest up against the bones of the face, so they can help with the upper cheeks and just below the cheeks but not lower down on the face.  Injections can be placed over a wider area, so sometimes can give a better effect.  The result from implants would be permanent, although they could be removed if needed.  There are a variety of fillers that could be used and these could last anywhere from a few months to 2-4 years or longer.  

Thank you for the great question! This is really a matter of personal preference and duration of effect. Implants are "permanent" in the sense that they don't go away over time. If you changed your mind at some point, you could certainly have them removed. Fillers, on the other hand, require repeated treatments over time. The most common fillers for cheek volumization are Radiesse and Voluma, though Sculptra treatments can be used for certain cases.  These products last anywhere from 9 months to nearly 2 years, depending on the specific product, patient metabolism, and the volume placed.

Cheek implants give uniform and permanent results while fillers are temporary. Untimately the implants are much less cost as well. You can always start with fillers and 1 year later get implants when the filler is gone.

I am a big proponent of
non-surgical cheek augmentation using dermal fillers rather than surgery. Here
are 3 reasons why: Lowered risk: There is much less risk of complication and infection
when using dermal fillers rather than implants.No down time needed! Surgery leaves patients swollen for 1 to 2
weeks, and final results can take up to 2 months to be seen. Fillers provide
immediate results with little to no bruising and swelling.Doctor-patient interaction: I am able to work with you in real time
to ensure I achieve your cosmetic goals. You are able to make suggestions on
where the filler is placed and how much is used.







Watch the above video from my
YouTube channel to see the benefits for yourself. Keep in mind that using dermal
fillers to contour facial features, such as cheeks, requires a high level of skill. Choose
a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the face. Visit my website
if you're interested in having this procedure done in the San Francisco Bay
Area.

Both implants and fillers can be used to augment the cheek. Cheek implants require surgery but fillers are done as an office procedure. As with anything there are risks and benefits to both. Out of all facial implants, cheek implants have a higher likelihood of removal because of patient dissatisfaction. You might consider augmenting with a no permanent filler first before committing to implants.

There are a few options for cheek augmentation, including fillers and implants.  There are pros and cons to both.  The best recommendation is to consult with a board certified specialist who can assist you with achieving the results you seek.  3D computer imaging can also help you visualize what you may look like afterwards.

Both options are acceptable to augment the cheeks. Cheek implants are performed when patient's desire a permanent solution to their flat cheeks. This is a surgical procedure performed under brief general anesthetic whereby Silastic implants are inserted through an intra-oral oral incision. Cheek implants are manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes which is usually determined at the time of the consultation. Fillers are performed in the office setting and temporarily augment the cheeks where the injections are placed.

I believe that longer lasting fillers such as Radiesse
and Sculptra have several advantages over cheek implants. One obvious
advantage is that surgery is not required. Another is that you can get either a
rapid or a gradual correction depending upon how much you have injected. Also
you can decide as you go exactly how much correction looks good. Another
big advantage is that cheek implants may no longer look good in an aging
face as it changes over the years. Touch up treatments for fillers can be
modified over the years to better fit the aging face.

Both fillers and implants have their place.  There are pros and cons to both; fillers are temporary/quick recovery. Implants involve surgery/last a lifetime and have a longer recovery.  While both can give you a great result, it really will depend on your cheek area and your goals.  Photos and a consult would help so we can determine your best option.