Cheek Augmentation

A doctor performs a cosmetic surgical procedure, called a cheek augmentation, to emphasize the cheeks of a patient. To augment the cheeks, a plastic surgeon may place a solid implant over the cheekbone. The doctor sometimes uses filler and injects the patient with his or her own fat or soft tissue.

Materials

Cheek implants are made of a variety of materials. Solid silicone is the most common material. High-density porous polyethylene and ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) are other options. Both are inert substances that provide better integration with the underlying tissue and bone than solid silicone.

Shapes

There are three general shapes of cheek implants: malar, submalar and a combination of the two. A plastic surgeon places malar implants directly onto the cheekbones, which results in a pronounced projection of the cheekbones and a higher contour to the side of the face. In contrast, submalar implants augment the mid-face, especially if the patient has a gaunt or "sunken" appearance. A malar/submalar combination enhances both the mid-face and the cheekbones.

To insert the plants, a surgeon makes an incision in the upper mouth near the top of the gum line and slides the implants into place. A surgeon may also make an external incision near the eye, but most patients do not choose this method since it creates a visible scar.

The term "plastic surgery" comes from the Greek term for mold or shape "plastikos." The field of plastic surgery encompasses cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. From reconstructing limbs and faces during the World War I, to microvascular surgery and face transplants, plastic surgery is at the forefront of medical and scientific research. The most common plastic surgery procedures are liposuction and breast augmentation, however plastic surgeons regularly correct cleft lips and palates in children who would otherwise not be able to eat or speak properly. Surgeons reconstruct faces and limbs after severe trauma and can use one part of the body to restore another body part affected by cancer. Recently, with ongoing research in the field of transplantation, plastic surgeons around the globe have transplanted hands and faces on to severely deformed individuals. The long-term survival of such grafts remains under investigation, however, the surgical possibilities in restoring function and wholeness in individuals continues to expand with modern scientific research.