While injectable fillers can provide temporary enhancement of facial contours, some patients are looking for a permanent structural solution. Facial implants, solid, biocompatible devices placed directly on the underlying bone, provide long-lasting, precise augmentation of the chin, cheeks, or jawline that fillers simply cannot replicate in magnitude or permanence. Dr. Landon McLain of McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, Alabama brings unique expertise to facial implant surgery through his dual board certifications in cosmetic surgery and oral & maxillofacial surgery, giving him an unparalleled understanding of facial skeletal anatomy.
Who Are Facial Implants For?
Facial implants are appropriate for patients who have underlying skeletal deficiencies, areas where the bone structure itself is underdeveloped or disproportionate. Common presentations include:
- A weak or receding chin that makes the nose appear more prominent and the neck less defined
- Flat or underprojected cheekbones that give the midface a hollow or flat appearance
- A narrow or underdeveloped jawline that lacks angular definition
- Facial asymmetry involving the skeletal structure
Chin Implants
Chin augmentation is one of the most commonly performed facial implant procedures and one of the most impactful for facial balance. The chin defines the jaw-to-neck transition, balances the nose, and contributes to the overall proportions of the profile. A weak chin makes the nose look larger and the neck less defined, even when neither is actually problematic.
Chin implants are placed through a small incision either inside the mouth or in the natural crease under the chin. The implant rests directly on the bone and under the chin muscle, providing permanent projection. The incision heals to near-invisibility. Recovery involves two to three weeks of dietary restrictions and activity limitation.
Cheek Implants
Cheek implants augment the malar (cheekbone) prominence, providing structural definition to the midface that aging has diminished or that was never fully developed. Cheek implants are placed through incisions inside the upper mouth, leaving no visible external scars. They rest on the zygomatic bone and provide permanent volume and definition that outlasts any injectable filler treatment.
Cheek implants are often combined with facelift surgery, as the improved skeletal projection provides the foundation for better soft tissue draping and more natural results.
Jawline Implants
Jaw angle or total jawline implants address the posterior jawline and mandibular angles, the areas that give the jaw its square, angular definition. This procedure is popular among male patients seeking a more defined, masculine jaw structure, as well as female patients seeking a sculpted jawline. Jaw implants are placed through intraoral incisions with no visible external scars.
Facial Implants vs. Injectable Fillers: When Each Is Appropriate
- Fillers: Best for temporary, reversible enhancement; mild contour improvement; patients not ready for surgery; volume loss from aging rather than skeletal deficiency
- Implants: Best for permanent augmentation; patients with true skeletal underdevelopment; larger or more precise changes than fillers can achieve; patients who want a definitive, one-time solution
Why Dr. McLain’s Dual Training Matters for Facial Implants
Placing facial implants on the underlying bone requires intimate knowledge of facial skeletal anatomy, precisely where nerves, blood vessels, and muscle attachments are located. Dr. McLain’s oral and maxillofacial surgery training encompasses comprehensive study of the facial skeleton, and his cosmetic surgery training adds the aesthetic judgment to achieve beautifully proportionate results.
Dr. McLain provides facial implant procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Athens, and throughout North Alabama. To discuss facial augmentation options, schedule a consultation at McLain Surgical Arts.