Chin and Cheek Augmentation

Improving facial harmony is one of the ultimate goals of facial plastic surgery. In some cases, augmentation of the cheeks or chin can be the best solution to balance the proportions of your facial features and generally refine your appearance.

Plastic and facial plastic surgeons at The University of Kansas Health System tailor each procedure according to your unique needs and goals. Their technical skill and artistic eye ensure that your facial profile enhancement looks natural.

Chin and cheek augmentation, sometimes referred to as facial implant surgery, uses implants to balance facial proportions and enhance facial contours. Cheek and chin implants can add definition and volume while improving the overall harmony of your facial features. In some cases, cheek and chin augmentation can also be achieved with the help of dermal fillers rather than implants.

If you feel your face is out of proportion, cheek or chin implants may be an ideal option for you. You may be a good candidate for the procedure if you struggle with a chin that you feel is too small for your face, have inadequate bone structure, hollow-looking cheeks or a flat and wrinkled mid-face, which can occur after weight loss.

If you choose to have facial implants, you should have realistic expectations of the outcome and be able to understand the risks and benefits of a surgical procedure.

Facial plastic surgeons and plastic surgeons can perform facial implant surgery. By placing cheek or chin implants, our surgeons can improve your facial harmony by correcting poorly defined cheekbones or a weak chin. It’s common to combine cheek and chin enhancement with additional facial plastic surgery procedures to further enhance your results. Cheek and chin augmentation can be achieved by inserting implants, using injectable fillers or a combination of multiple techniques.

The possible benefits of cheek and chin augmentation include:

• Correcting balance among facial features
• Improving chin, cheek and jawline definition
• Strengthening the appearance of facial structure

Possible side effects or complications may include infection, implant malposition or mobility and nerve injury. Ask your surgeon for more details if you are concerned about possible complications from facial implant surgery.

Chin implant surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. During your consultation, you and your facial plastic surgeon will determine the most optimal implant size, shape and projection to best define your cheek, chin and jaw contours.

A possible alternative to cheek implants is a long-lasting and effective soft tissue filler, which can be injected to add volume to the mid-face. Unlike premade implants, injectable fillers give our surgeons the ability to customize facial recontouring and volume enhancement to meet each person’s individual needs. When performed this way, cheek augmentation requires little to no downtime, and the results can last from 6 months to 2 years.

Chin and cheek implant surgery, on the other hand, is a permanent procedure and typically involves a recovery period. Most people return to work within 1 week of surgery and report minimal discomfort after the procedure. Swelling may last for 5-7 days, but should slowly subside as the healing process progresses. Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on postoperative care, which will include directions to sleep with your head elevated for 1-2 weeks in order to minimize swelling. Strenuous activity can usually be resumed after 3-4 weeks.