CHIN/CHEEK ENHANCEMENT
Chin --
Through the centuries a strong chin has always been considered a sign
of physical beauty and strength. On the other hand a person with a receding
chin is characterized as having a "weak "chin. Since we always
view ourselves in a forward plane we do not see our chin undersized and
small until we view our profile in the mirror or on a photograph. Chin
augmentation or mentoplasty is designed to correct this weak chin problem.
During your consultation a complete facial analysis will be performed
aided by the educational computer imaging to address your concerns and
visualize the contour of your face and chin. The shape of your nose and
dental bite are also important preoperative considerations. If you have
an abnormal or dysfunctional dental bite, advancement jaw surgery may
be indicated or a nose reshaping procedure may be required in conjunction
with the chin augmentation to address the imbalance of the face.
There are two techniques used in chin augmentation: the first one consists
of moving the chin bone forward through an incision inside the mouth;
the second one places an implant in the front of the chin bone through
an incision either in the mouth or in the skin underneath the chin. Multiple
implants are available in different sizes and shapes. The most popular
implants used are made of solid silicone that also offer lower jaw contouring
laterally.
The inside the mouth approach provides for a non-visible scar but the
tradeoff is a higher risk of infection. Complications from chin augmentation
are infrequent.
Cheek --
Until recently the only way to create the illusion of high cheek bones,
an essential feature of classical beauty, was through the skillful application
of make-up. Today cheek augmentation can give definition to a face that
has a flat contour due to a long narrow or a round face. As we age sagging
of the skin and soft tissues further contribute to loss of our cheek definition.
The procedure is performed through an incision in the lower eyelid or
inside the gumline of the mouth or via temporal incision if performed
in conjunction with a midface lift. A shaped implant is then inserted
in the pocket above the cheekbone. There are numerous choices of implants
available today including your own bone, but the most popular is solid
silicone. Fat injections can be employed if less augmentation is required
thereby avoiding the other approaches, but multiple injections are required
to obtain a more lasting result.
Lip --
There are several
options and all of these can be performed under local anesthesia so that
you can go back to work the same day.
(1) Soft tissue
fillers such as Juvederm can be easily injected in both your upper or
lower lips and can last from 6 months to 1 year. This is the most
popular procedure although it does require repeated treatments..
(2) Fat Transfer
consists of using your own fat taken from the hips or abdomen and
injecting the fat in your lips. The fat transfer can last a very long
time but in some patients unfortunately and unpredictably it is
quickly reabsorbed.
(3) Surgical lip
lift can be more permanent. This is not same surgical lip lift with
outside incisions performed in older patients often at the same time of
a short scar face lift. The incision is placed underneath in the part of
lip near your teeth so that no scars are visible. Although it can be
performed under local anesthesia the resultant swelling may last 2 weeks
necessitating time off from work.
(4) Softform,
Silicone and other materials although touted as permanent can be
associated with serious complications and are not recommended. |