Enhance Your Facial Features & Facial Symmetry with Facial Implants
Facial implant surgery is a procedure that helps define your face shape. It can make your face more symmetrical, defined, and balanced. You can have permanent implants in your chin, cheeks, and jaw.
University of Utah Health's double board-certified facial plastic surgeons are experts who specialize in facial plastic surgery. We also have surgeons who specialize in both facial surgery and plastic surgery of the body. This expertise and rigorous training help us provide excellent results for you.
What Chin, Cheek, & Jaw Augmentation Can Improve
Facial implants can enhance your facial features. U of U Health offers several procedures to help create a fuller, contoured appearance.
Chin Augmentation for Better Profile Balance
Chin augmentation adds definition to your chin and improves your jawline contour. We use chin implants made of silicone to balance your chin shape. The silicone implant size and shape are selected with your specific goals in mind. We also offer chin reshaping (surgery on your chin bones called genioplasty).
Chin implants can help with:
- Balanced, symmetrical facial features
- Improved facial proportions for people getting nose surgery (rhinoplasty)
- More prominent chin shape
- Reshaped face to treat malformations
Cheek Augmentation for Fuller Cheeks and Facial Contours
Cheek augmentation creates smooth, rounded cheeks. We use silicone implants to improve, balance, and enhance your cheek volume.
Your surgeon will make an incision in your mouth, under your upper lip. The implant fits into a pocket above the cheekbone. They may use small screws to attach the implant to the bone.
Cheek implants can add:
- Feminine cheek shape (including gender-affirming care)
- Fuller cheeks
- Symmetrical cheeks
Jaw Augmentation for Stronger Definition
Jaw augmentation helps give you a defined jawline. It involves attaching a silicone implant to your jaw to make the jaw wider with a defined shape.
Your surgeon will make an incision behind your back teeth (molars) or in the chin. They insert the implant and place it along your jawbone. In some cases, they will attach the implant to your bone with small screws.
There are several benefits to jaw implants:
- More masculine jawline (including gender-affirming care)
- Reshaped jaw after injury, such as a broken jaw
- Squared-off jaw
Are Facial Implants Right for You?
There are several criteria you need to meet to be a good candidate for facial implants:
- Being healthy and able to undergo surgery
- Having an adult bone structure
- Maintaining realistic expectations about potential results
- Seeking facial balance
Choosing Facial Implants, Fillers, or Fat Grafting
Facial Implants
This procedure is best for long-lasting changes. It uses solid silicone implants, customized to your preferred shape and size. You will have general anesthetic for the surgery and will go home to recover the same day.
Fillers
Dermal fillers are liquid injections beneath your skin. We perform this nonsurgical procedure in the clinic under topical anesthetic. The filler is temporary and may fade over time as your body absorbs it.
Fat Grafting
A fat graft takes fat from your stomach or thigh (a process called liposuction). The surgeon then creates a liquid, injectable filler from the fat. This is a more permanent filler option. Fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure. Minimally invasive procedures use smaller incisions and generally have a faster recovery time than traditional surgery.
Why Choose U of U Health for Facial Implants?
What to Expect From Facial Implant Surgery at U of U Health
Our team of experts will support you from your initial consultation through recovery. The surgeon will meet to discuss your goals and recommend a customized plan for you. They will go over the risks and benefits of various options to develop a plan alongside you.
Preparing for Facial Implant Surgery
You will complete several surveys during your first consultation. This helps your surgeon understand your health and desired results. Questions will cover a wide range of topics:
- Body dysmorphia—Stress over perceived body flaws
- Functional issues—Bite problems caused by an undersized chin, for example
- Surgery goals—Specific features you would like to enhance Your surgeon will then analyze your face proportions and bone structure. They will create an edited image of what your face will look like with the implants. This image helps make sure you and your surgeon are clear about what you want.
During Facial Implant Surgery
Facial implant surgery lasts about 1–2 hours. The anesthesia team will give you anesthesia, so you sleep through the procedure. Your surgeon will make an incision, insert the implant, and then close the incision with stitches. You will start seeing results immediately. You will be able to go home the same day to recover.
Recovery and Results From Facial Implant Surgery
You may see your results and volume change right away, but it will take time for your face to fully heal. You will have follow-up appointments after one week, 4–6 weeks, and 3–6 months. It takes about six months for full recovery and to see your final results. You may have various symptoms while you recover:
- One week—You will have soreness and swelling.
- 1–2 weeks—You may have bruising, especially along the jaw.
- Four months—You may have temporary facial numbness and sensitivity in your bottom teeth.
- Six months—You should start to regain feeling in your face and be able to see the final contouring from the implant.
Combining Facial Implants With Other Procedures
Your surgeon may recommend combining a facial implant with another procedure. Combining procedures can help create better harmony in your facial features.
You can have more than one facial implant surgery. You may also combine a facial implant surgery with other surgeries:
- Chin implant and cheek implant to balance facial features in your chin and cheek area
- Chin implant and rhinoplasty (nose job) to blend and balance a new nose shape and size with your chin
- Chin implant with facelift or neck lift to define your jawline by bringing the chin out further to create more contouring
How to Schedule a Consultation
Call 801-585-3223 to set up a consultation with our facial plastic and reconstructive surgery specialists. Your doctor may make a referral online.
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