Placement of facial implants aims at reshaping of the face by providing volume and fullness to the regions such as the chin, jaws and the cheeks. Likewise, injection of the patient’s self fat and the commercially available filler materials such as hyaluronic acid may be utilized for the same purpose. While the filler materials last about 6-15 months, and about half of the injected fat remains viable for the long term, implants stay where they are placed.

Technically, implants are placed over the bone in the areas such as chin, jaws and the cheek where fullness is desired
by the use of small incisions. The incisions are made in areas not seen from outside such as inside the mouth and the lower eyelid.

Duration of the procedures is about 1-2 hours and may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravascular sedation. Hospital stay is not required. Return to work is in about 1 week. Treated areas have to be protected from trauma for at least 2 months.

Main risks of the procedure are bleeding, infection, decrease in sensation, asymmetry, displacement of the implant, deformity and painful capsule formation around the implant.