Facial Implants

Implants are used most in the midface region and on the jaw bone. Implants used in the midface region are placed over the cheekbones and under the eyes. Implants used on the jaw bone are placed at the chin tip and along the jaw edges.

Facial prostheses can be manufactured from silicone, porous polyethylene or titanium.

Because silicone prostheses are smooth, they can easily be placed through small incisions. Likewise, their removal is also easier. However, over time silicone may cause resorption of the underlying bone. Because they have a smooth surface, they may shift out of place if they are not well fixed. In addition, capsule formation due to tissue reaction almost always occurs around silicone implants.

Porous polyethylene is a plastic containing small pores. Its commercial name is Medpor. Because Medpor implants have a textured surface, placing and removing them is more difficult than with silicone. However, because of the pores, tissue grows into them within a short time and the risk of shifting is very low. In addition, they do not cause any resorption of the underlying bone. However, when they need to be removed, they are removed with great difficulty.

Thanks to advanced three-dimensional imaging systems and three-dimensional printers, today it is possible to design and produce patient-specific titanium implants. Since the shape and volume of these implants and the contour they will provide are designed in advance, and since they can be fixed to the bones with screws, it is possible to foresee the results in advance, and there is no risk of the implants shifting.

Facial prostheses are used to balance and beautify the face. By supporting the cheekbones, a more prominent appearance is created and the oval of the face is defined. In people with a flat midface, the face is balanced with prostheses placed under the eyes. In patients whose chin is set back, with a bird-face appearance, the facial profile is corrected with prostheses placed at the chin tip. With prostheses placed along the jaw edges, a more angular and stronger appearance is obtained, especially in male patients.

Prostheses to be placed over the midface and cheekbone are inserted through incisions made in the lower eyelid or inside the mouth; prostheses to be placed at the chin tip through incisions made under the chin or inside the mouth; and prostheses to be placed along the jaw edges through incisions made inside the mouth. The prostheses are generally fixed to the bone with a screw.

As in all surgical interventions, in procedures placing prostheses in the face it is necessary to stop aspirin and smoking 3 weeks before the procedure. In the last 1 week it is necessary to stay away from medicines and similar substances that may thin the blood.

Things that should not be used:

Painkillers such as Apranax, Voltaren, Vermidon (when a painkiller is needed, Minoset, Novalgin can be used),

Multivitamin pills containing substances such as ginseng, ginkgo biloba, coenzyme Q,

Herbal products such as green tea, flaxseed, cherry stalk, tomato seed

All slimming products

If no other surgical procedure is to be performed, facial prosthesis operations are carried out under local anaesthesia and sedation (deep sedatives), in an operating theatre setting.

Facial prosthesis procedures take about 30-60 minutes.

Not much pain is expected after facial prostheses. It can be controlled with mild painkillers.

Mild swelling and bruising develop over the treated area. Patients may have temporary numbness and temporary weakness of facial expression movements. The swelling begins to subside 72 hours after the operation. Generally, after 3 weeks the face attains its true appearance.

In the early period there may be numbness and reduced facial movements, but these are generally temporary and resolve within a few days. Permanent loss of sensation in the lower lip may, although rarely, be observed after chin implants. Infection may occur, especially after prostheses placed through the mouth. Because of infection, the prosthesis may need to be removed. In the long term, shifting out of place and asymmetries may be observed, especially with silicone prostheses. Also, silicone prostheses may cause resorption of the underlying bone. Medpor and titanium implants are safer prostheses in terms of displacement.