Facial implants can be used to enhance the contours of the face and improve the look of your face. They are often chosen to add balance to facial features, boosting your self-esteem and helping you feel more positive about your appearance. Facial implants for patients in Green and Beachwood, Ohio are performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steven S. Carp, M.D., F.A.C.S. of Carp Cosmetic Surgery Center, who serves residents in and around Akron, Cleveland and Canton.
What Are Facial Implants?
Various materials are used to make facial implants, depending on the function or location where the implant will be placed. Facial implants can be used to balance out particular features, creating a pleasing overall look. Below you will find general information about the different types of implants available and the techniques used by Dr. Carp. If you think you may benefit from one or more of the facial implant procedures described below, contact us to schedule a consultation.
What to Expect from a Facial Implant
Patients choose to undergo facial implant surgery for a number of reasons, including improving appearance and boosting self-esteem. This procedure is meant to make improvements to your face, but will not create perfection; if you have realistic expectations about the results you want to achieve, facial implants may be a good choice for you.
Implants are often used by Dr. Carp to balance facial features in younger patients. For example, a teenage patient may choose nose reshaping or bringing the chin forward to better proportion these facial traits. Mature patients often decide to have implants placed as they undergo additional cosmetic procedures, such as cheekbone implants in combination with a facelift to fill out sunken areas of the face and create a more youthful appearance.
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Planning Your Facial Implant Surgery
It is important that you state your expectations clearly when you meet with Dr. Carp to discuss your surgery. The doctor will inform you as to what can be achieved through certain procedures and will let you know if your expectations can be met. If you’d like, bring along example photos of people with features close to what you desire.
Before undergoing surgery, make sure you have a full understanding of all the details, including how much it will cost and what your recovery will be like.
For procedures that require an incision to be made inside the mouth, you need to tell Dr. Carp if you are a smoker or if you have existing dental or gum issues. Dr. Carp will let you know of any special instructions for surgery or recovery that concern these issues.
Depending on the form of anesthesia used and other factors, you may not be permitted to drive home after the procedure. If this is the case, make sure to arrange for transportation. You may also need to stop eating or drinking a certain number of hours before the surgery, so be sure to ask for these instructions ahead of time. Certain medications may need to be discontinued prior to surgery, and you may be prescribed oral antibiotics to be taken prior to and after surgery, which will help prevent infection.
When you meet with Dr. Carp for your pre-operative appointment, he will inform you of the instructions you should follow.
Chin Surgery
Chin implant surgery typically lasts from 30 minutes to an hour. Dr. Carp will choose the correct size and shape of the implant that will complement your appearance and then create a pocket at the front of the jawbone using a small incision. The implant is positioned along the lower lip inside your mouth or through the skin under the chin.
Once the chin implant is set, the area is taped to reduce swelling and minimize discomfort. Sutures can be taken out in five to seven days. Dissolvable sutures are used to close intra-oral incisions and do not require removal.
Recovering from Chin Surgery
Expect some swelling of the chin and discomfort for several days following surgery. You may find it difficult to smile or talk temporarily, but this is normal. You may also see some bruising around the surgical site. Dr. Carp will give you instructions to follow regarding eating and dental hygiene, as well as any restrictions you need to follow after your procedure.
Lower-Jaw Surgery
Jaw implant surgery lasts anywhere from one to two hours. Incisions are made at the side of the lower lip on the inside of the mouth, allowing Dr. Carp to create a pocket which will hold the lower jaw implant. Dissolvable sutures will close the incisions.
Cheek Surgery
Cheek implant surgery normally lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The implants are inserted into a pocket made via an incision inside the upper lip or lower eyelid. If your cheek implant procedure is being performed in combination with another procedure, such as eyelid surgery, facelift, or a forehead lift, cheek implants may be placed through the incisions created for those surgeries.
Dressings are applied after surgery is complete to reduce swelling and discomfort. Your recovery time and the side effects you feel may vary if you have cheek implants performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures.
Recovering from Cheek Surgery
You’ll receive post-operative care instructions from Dr. Carp. You’ll need to follow restrictions regarding eating and activity, which will vary depending on whether or not other procedures were performed at the same time. You may find it difficult to move your lips and mouth temporarily, and your intra-oral stitches will dissolve approximately 10 days after surgery.
Types of Anesthesia
Certain facial implant procedures require a local anesthetic as well as a sedative. More commonly, facial implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
How Much Do Facial Implants Cost?
Facial implants are considered to be elective, so most insurance providers won’t cover the costs. To help make facial implants affordable and accessible for everyone, Carp Cosmetic Surgery Center offers financing options. We also accept cash, personal checks, and major credit cards.
REAL PATIENT REVIEW
“This is the Mrs who goes to Dr Carp. Staff is super friendly and appointments to fit your needed. Love the services I receive from Dr Carp. I don’t just trust anyone with face. Very skilled and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.” – Leo C.
Restoring facial volume and achieving a more youthful appearance is entirely possible through facial implants. To discover whether facial implants are right for you, contact Dr. Steven Carp of Carp Cosmetic Surgical Center in Green and Beachwood, OH, serving the Canton, Cleveland and Akron areas.