Facial features are an important and highly visible aspects of a person's physical appearance. For those who want a more balanced face or create stronger features, facial implants may be the answer. Implants placed in the chin, jaw, or cheek will create a more pronounced, contoured, and visually striking face.

The Surgery

Procedures for chin, jaw, and cheek surgery generally follow the same pattern. The surgeon begins by making a small incision near the location where the implant will be placed, either in a natural crease in the face or inside the mouth where the gum and lip meet. The surgeon makes a pocket in the facial tissue, inserts the implant, and stitches the original incision. These procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis and last from one-half to two hours. Although a local anesthesia may be used, a general anesthesia is more common.

After Surgery

Following surgery, the incision is either taped or dressed in a protective bandage. A postoperative condition may include bruising and swelling, although medication lessens much of this discomfort. Most of the swelling disappears in four or five days while bruising may take longer to subside. It may be difficult to speak or eat for several days. Depending on the procedure, the stitches are removed in five to ten days. If the stitches are placed inside the mouth, they naturally dissolve in roughly the same amount of time. It is important to avoid rough contact to the implant area for several months.

Health Concerns

As with any cosmetic surgical procedure, complications are rare, but include infection and a reaction to the anesthesia. Infections are usually treatable through antibiotics, although, in certain cases, a second procedure may be necessary to remove and replace the implant. Occasionally, an implant shifts slightly, in which case another procedure would need to be performed. If you have concerns regarding the solid silicone implant, be sure to discuss these with your surgeon. During your initial consultation, be sure to let your surgeon know if you smoke. He or she will probably recommend that you quit both two weeks prior to and following surgery. In order to maximize the success of surgery and minimize the risk of complication, always follow your doctor's instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.