Procedures > Cosmetic Procedures
Facial Augmentation
Lip Augmentation
What is it used for?
Procedures are available to enhance the look of the lips. Many people wish they had “fuller” upper lips. Others are concerned with decreasing the amount of wrinkles and fine lines around the lips
What are some of the products available?
The doctors offer a variety of treatments including Collagen, Cymetra, Alloderm, and Dermolgen. The different materials have various advantages and indications which the doctors will review with you at your consultation.
How is the procedure performed?
The lip augmentation procedures can be performed after local anesthetic has been placed in the area. For injected material, sutures are not usually necessary. Conscious sedation is available for those who prefer to be more relaxed. Sometimes more than one procedure will be recommended for a patient. Procedures such as lip augmentation and laser skin resurfacing may be combined for the best result.
What is expected afterwards?
The treated area may appear slightly swollen, red, or bruised for a few days following augmentation. Most patients can resume wearing lip stick the next day. With advanced augmentation using an implanted material such as Alloderm, there may be 1 or 2 sutures to remove at 5 days.
The long term results vary on the material utilized to augment the lips. The doctors will discuss the realistic expectations.
Cheek Implants (Malar Augmentation)
What are the benefits?
People with “sallow” looking eyes, or who lack definition in the cheek area may benefit from this procedure. Very often, a “long” face or “flat” face may be improved by augmenting the cheek area with implants.
How do I get started?
After pre-operative consultation and review of digital photos and facial x-rays, a plan can be made for the type and size of augmentation.
Can cheek implants be combined with other facial enhancing procedures?
Yes. The procedure is sometimes performed in conjunction with other facial surgery such as a blepharoplasty, genioplasty or laser skin resurfacing.
How is the surgery performed?
The surgery is performed in our office under light IV sedation. The most commonly utilized implant is made of a porous material which resists infection. Over time, the implants become filled with the patient’s own tissues which gives them additional stability.
What do I expect afterwards?
Most patients experience a mild amount of swelling for the first few days and may temporarily develop light bruising in the cheek area. All small incisions and sutures are placed in the mouth above the upper teeth.
Chin Augmentation (Genioplasty)
What are the benefits of chin surgery?
Chin implants serve to improve the appearance of a patient’s profile and help with small or receeding chins.
What do I need to do to get started?
The doctors will assess the facial and jaw structure to determine the harmony of the jaws and chin. Digital facial imaging and x-rays will be utilized to outline various treatment options. Sometimes, additional jaw surgery is recommended to correct an “overbite” or jaw deficiency in conjunction with the chin augmentation.
How is the procedure performed?
Most chin surgery is performed in our office under light IV sedation. An incision is made inside the mouth on the inner aspect of the lower lip. A porous implant may be contoured and secured in a position on the jaw bone below the muscle. Other times, the chin itself may be advanced into a more appropriate position.
What happens afterwards?
Patients will leave the office with a small supportive chin dressing and should expect some mild bruising which dissipates quickly over the first few days. The chin implants feel and look very natural. Overall, they greatly improve the look and strength of one’s jaw line.
Nasolabial Implants
What is the benefit of this procedure?
The folds or “smile” lines that extend from the lateral portion of your nostril area past the corners of your mouth are called nasolabial folds. As we age, these folds become more prominent. Certain individuals have more of a genetic predisposition to exaggeration in these areas and become increasingly self-conscious of these areas as they age.
What are the surgical options?
There are a few options in this area that are available to patients. After careful consultation, the doctors will show you digital photos which help illustrate potential areas of augmentation. Keep in mind however, that the nasolabial area is very important to facial animation and as such has deep muscular connections that should not be disrupted. Thus, the goal of augmentation in this area is to better support the skin areas above the muscles and tendons in this complex area of the face.
How is it done?
The augmentation procedure can be done with injections such as collagen or augmented with an implanted material. These procedures are most often performed under local anesthesia. As with lip augmentation procedures, most patients experience just a mild amount of swelling for a few days and light bruising.
Mandibular Angle Augmentation (lower jaw)
What is this procedure good for?
Implants in the back portion of the lower jaw can augment the jaw line of individuals with a “weak” looking lower jaw. It also gives a more “masculine” or “chiseled” look to the lower face and jaw. Some people say that this makes them look more “European.”
What preparation is needed?
After careful analysis of the lower jaw and facial structures with digital photos and x-rays, a plan can be made for augmenting the mandibular angle region. After an appropriate sized implant is agreed upon between the patient and doctor, the procedure can be scheduled. Sometimes the implant surgery is performed in conjunction with other jaw surgery such as chin augmentation.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is performed in our office under light IV sedation. The small incisions are made on the inside of the mouth in the region of the lower back teeth. Dissolvable sutures are utilized and patients should expect some mild swelling and bruising for a few days.
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