Facial Implants

If you’re unhappy with the contours of your face, like a small chin, weak jaw, or poorly defined facial structure, you could benefit from facial implants. Board-certified plastic surgeon Jonathan Zelken, MD, in Newport Beach, California, has extensive experience using facial implants to create more pleasing and balanced facial structures. Call the office or connect online to schedule an appointment to learn if facial implants can strengthen your profile.

Learn more about facial implants at Dr. Zelken's office »

Are you unhappy with the contours of your face, a small chin or a weak jaw? If so, you might benefit from facial implants. Facial implants are used to create a more pleasing and balanced face structure. Any part of the face can be enhanced with implants, but chin, cheek and jaw implants are the most popular.

Facial implants can improve facial definition and enhance the chin and jawline.

What are facial implants?

Facial implants are made from materials that are safe for use in the human body (biocompatible). Each implant is specifically sized and shaped to correct different facial features.

When would I need facial implants?

Dr. Zelken enhances any part of your face and uses implants during another procedure, including surgery, to change the shape of your nose. But chin, cheek, and jaw implants are the most popular:

Cheek implants

Cheek implants enhance your cheekbones and add volume to areas that appear sunken.

Chin implants

A small or recessed chin doesn’t look like a distinct feature. Instead, it disappears into your neck. Chin implants increase the size of your chin when it’s out of proportion with the rest of your face.

Jaw implants

You may want to consider a jaw implant if your jaw doesn’t appear well-defined or slopes instead of forming an angle. In addition to better defining your jaw, an implant increases the width of the lower part of your face.

What happens before facial implant surgery?

Before scheduling facial implant surgery, you consult with Dr. Zelken. You can explain the changes you want to see, and Dr. Zelken ensures that you have realistic goals and understand what can and can’t be accomplished with implants.

He also assesses your medical history to determine if you’re a good candidate. You must be generally healthy and not have a medical condition that affects healing or your ability to have surgery. If you smoke, you must stop before surgery.

Your age also makes a difference, but only if you’re young. Your head and skull must be fully developed before getting implants. That usually occurs in late adolescence.

What happens during facial implant surgery?

Dr. Zelken recommends the best anesthesia based on the extent of your surgery and your personal needs. After giving you anesthesia, he makes the necessary incisions.

The placement of your incisions depends on which surgery you’re having. Dr. Zelken is careful to make them where scars won’t be seen, like inside your mouth or in a crease below your chin. Once the implants are in place, the surrounding muscles and tissues hold them in place.

If you’re unhappy with your facial shape, learn how facial implants can improve your appearance. Call Jonathan Zelken, MD, today, or use online booking to schedule a consultation.

WHAT ARE FACIAL IMPLANTS?

Made of biocompatible materials, facial implants are sculpted pieces that are placed beneath the skin. They can be used to enhance the underlying structure to the face, or for more involved reconstructive purposes.

FACIAL IMPLANTS AT THE OUR CLINIC

Dr. Zelken, recognized as a Super Doctors Rising Star, specializes in facial reconstruction surgery and implants in Newport Beach. In some cases, he may use implants to complement another cosmetic procedure, such as rhinoplasty, in order to achieve the most balanced result. He typically inserts implants to contour cheekbones, define the jaw area, and improve overall facial proportions.

TYPES OF FACIAL IMPLANTS

• Chin implants: These can enlarge a chin that’s too small in proportion to the forehead and midface. They can also make a recessed chin more defined.
• Jaw implants: Like a recessed chin, a weak jaw seems to disappear into the neck. Jaw implants correct this problem by making the lower third of your face wider.
• Cheek implants: These implants enhance your cheekbones, giving them a more prominent appearance. Cheek implants can add needed volume if your cheeks look flat or sunken.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR FACIAL IMPLANTS

Facial implants may not be for everyone, but for individuals who have realistic goals for enhancing their facial features they work well. You may be a candidate if your head and skull are fully developed, something that usually happens in late adolescence. It’s important that you’re generally healthy, do not smoke and do not have any medical conditions that would affect healing or increase risks associated with the surgery.

BEFORE YOUR FACIAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE

Before your facial implant procedure, you will have a consultation with Dr. Zelken and his team. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have regarding the procedure. If you’re anxious about your anticipated new look or the operation itself, be sure to discuss those feelings with us. A little anxiety, by the way, is completely normal prior to any procedure.

We will also have questions for you pertaining to your health, desires and lifestyle, and it’s absolutely critical that you are forthcoming with your answers.

DURING THE FACIAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE

Medications, including either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Based upon the scope of your procedure and your specific needs, Dr. Zelken will recommend the best choice for you.

The placement of your incisions will depend on the type of implants. The incision for a chin implant can be inside the mouth, just beneath the chin or along the crease where the gums and lower lip meet. Cheek implants are most often placed through incisions in the mouth, but might be placed through an incision inside the lower eyelid or within the hairline. When placing jaw implants, incisions are usually made inside the mouth, back along the jawline at the crease that connects your gums and the inside of your cheek.

AFTER YOUR FACIAL IMPLANT SURGERY

Following your facial implant procedure, Dr. Zelken and his team will give you specific instructions regarding how to care for your surgical site(s), medications to apply or take orally to aid healing, and specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or with your health in general. We will also schedule a time for you to follow up with Dr. Zelken in order to monitor your progress and go over any questions you may have.

Although good results are expected from your facial implant surgery, it may not be possible for some patients to attain optimal results with a single surgical procedure. In that case, another surgery may be necessary. Regardless, following our instructions is essential to the success of your surgery.

The results of facial implant procedure are immediate but will be masked by swelling. It may take several months before swelling is totally gone. In addition to swelling, you may notice discoloration, numbness or discomfort during the initial healing stage. Short-term impairment of facial movements is also common following facial implant surgery.

MAKE SURE YOU ASK YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON THE FOLLOWING:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my body to look over time? After pregnancy?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my body lift?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

ARE YOU READY FOR A CONSULTATION?

If you’re considering facial implants or have further questions about the procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us or schedule a consultation with Dr. Zelken. We’re located at 1617 Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach, CA, and we can be reached at (949) 432-4730. We serve patients from across the world — we have a Mandarin Chinese-speaking physician — as well as clients in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Laguna Beach, California.

FAQ

WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FACIAL IMPLANTS?

During your consultation, we will go over the risks associated with the surgery, such as bleeding, firmness around the implant and unfavorable scarring. Dr. Zelken will also ask that you stop smoking prior to any surgery, including facial implants. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the facial implant procedure and any risks or potential complications. We may also that you get a lab test or a medical evaluation, take certain medications or adjust your current medications, and avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal supplements and other medications that may increase bleeding during surgery. The decision to have any plastic surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of facial implants are acceptable. If you do decide to proceed with facial implants, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the procedure.

Night of surgery. The patient has marked swelling and is able to open her eyes part-way. She does not have visual complaints and has no need for pain medication

Postoperative day 2 and 3 are usually the worst in Asian eyelids as the fluid swelling is replaced by the body’s natural inflammatory responses.

The next day is more of the same, but avoidance of strenuous activity and use of the ointment prescribed facilitates quicker recovery. Bruising begins to fade

As swelling resolves the result begins to show, although we are months away from the final outcome. There are still bruises and asymmetries.

Stitches generally come out on postoperative day 6 or 7. The act of stitch removal usually stirs up a small amount of swelling, and can be somewhat uncomfortable, but without stitches there, the healing process speeds up and you can be red carpet ready within 2-3 weeks.