Cheek Implants – Growing Popularity Examined

The decision to have cheek implants is one that makes a permanent change to the appearance of the cheeks of a patient. One of the reasons that patients decide to make a change in the look of their cheeks is that they start to notice a difference in the appearance of their face due to a descent of their cheeks. This descent in the cheeks often happens naturally as a person ages and changes occur in the fat pads of the cheeks and the cheekbones.

Let’s examine why patients decide to have cheeks implants placed in the face to enhance the shape and size of the cheeks. Our discussion of the procedure begins with an overview of the surgery from Cosmetic Town TV:

Cheek Implants – What are They?

Cheek implants are an invasive surgical solution that adds volume into the cheekbones as well as lift the cheeks to give the face an increased amount of definition. The placement of cheek implants is a permanent solution which means patients need to make sure they discuss how the surgery is performed with their doctor, so they are properly educated about the treatment.

The placement of cheek implants involves the insertion of small, solid silicone implants or other biocompatible materials into the cheeks. Once the cheek implants are in the targeted area, they will give the cheekbones an improved contour and projection. Depending on the shape and placement of the cheek implants, they will fall into one of two categories, malar or submalar, which are named for where the cheek implants are inserted in the body in relation to the cheekbone.

Malar implants give the cheekbones a more pronounced and defined appearance while submalar implants, which are shaped like teardrops or ovals, are placed slightly lower in the area of the cheekbones in order to add contour and volume just below the cheekbones as well as a fuller and lifted appearance.  

Cheeks Implants – How the Procedure is Performed

The first step in the placement of cheek implants is having the doctor examine the patient to determine if malar or submalar implants is the ideal choice to provide a natural appearance.

Once the procedure begins, the cheek implant is usually inserted into the cheeks through the mouth. An incision is created above the teeth that goes far up into the gums. Then, the surgeon lifts the tissue off the bone so a pocket can be created for the cheek implant. Once it is placed in the pocket, the cheek implant is held in place with a suture or screw. It is necessary to minimize any movement the cheek implants might make after being placed by the doctor as unexpected movements can cause them to shift in the face and give the area an unnatural or deformed look.

Once the doctor has finished placing and securing the implants, the incisions will be stitched shut. These stitches will dissolve on their own and there will not be a visible scar since the incision is made inside the mouth.

There is also an alternative method of inserting the cheek implant and this is when the surgeon places it through a small incision that is made in the lower eyelid. The final decision often depends on the way the surgeon feels most comfortable accessing the cheekbone.

Cheek Implants – Recovery and Changes to the Face

One of the reasons cheek implants are so popular is that they provide a greater amount of lift to the soft tissue located in the mid-face. They also give a more prominent look to the cheekbones by restoring volume to cheeks that might have lost volume as a person continued to age. The placement of cheek implants gives the cheekbones a more defined appearance.

The first several days after the procedure will include some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort. The swelling and bruising will resolve on their own while the amount of discomfort can be managed with pain medication prescribed by the doctor. Except for the swelling and bruising that appears after the surgery, there will not be many visible signs that cheek implant surgery was performed.

Patients will also need to avoid strenuous exercise for anywhere from three to six weeks after the procedure, so the cheek implants have time to settle into their proper place.

Cheek Implants – Who is an Ideal Candidate?

When it comes to determining if a person is an ideal candidate for cheek implants, there are some facial features that influence whether or not a person is a good candidate. For example, a person who has cheekbones that are not very defined or prominent is a good candidate. In addition, someone who wants to widen their narrow mid-face or has asymmetrical cheekbones is also an ideal candidate. Finally, a person who wants to achieve a permanent amount of enhancement to their cheekbones can be a good candidate.

Anyone who currently has filler in their skin needs to wait until the filler has been absorbed by the body as the dermal filler can impact the appearance of the final results. Also, a person who has a small amount of soft tissue between the skin and cheekbones is usually not a good candidate as they have a higher chance of the cheek implants being visible to others.

- MA