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. Our facial plastic surgeons, Dr. J. David Kriet and Dr. Clinton D. Humphrey, tailor each augmentation procedure according to your unique needs and goals for natural-looking enhancement of your facial profile.
Chin Augmentation with Implants
Many patients who request rhinoplasty or a facelift seek to reshape their nose and restore the youthful contours of their jawline, respectively. While these procedures can make dramatic improvements, the results may be further enhanced with attention to the chin region. Mentoplasty, or chin augmentation, is usually performed in conjunction with rhinoplasty or facelift surgery, but it can also be pursued as a stand-alone procedure.
Through placement of a customized chin implant, chin augmentation can enhance facial harmony by addressing a weak chin and reducing the prominence of a large nose. The procedure can also improve jawline definition and minimize jowling when performed in tandem with a facelift.
How are Chin Implants Placed?
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 chin and jaw contours. Dr. Kriet or Dr. Humphrey will then fit the implant around your chin bone through a small incision made either below the chin or from the inside of the mouth. These locations can be very discreet, allowing virtually undetectable scarring to outside observers. The entire procedure takes approximately one hour, unless chin augmentation is combined with other procedures.
What is Recovery After Getting Chin Implants Like?
Chin implants typically involve a very mild recovery period. Most patients return to work within one week of surgery and report minimal discomfort after the procedure. Swelling may last for five to seven days, but should slowly subside as the healing process progresses. Your facial plastic surgeon will give you detailed instructions on post-operative care, which will include directions to sleep with your head elevated for one to two weeks in order to minimize swelling. Strenuous activity can usually be resumed after three to four weeks.
How Much Does Chin Augmentation Cost?
The average fee for chin augmentation with facial implants nationwide is approximately $2,360 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This figure does not include adjunctive procedural costs, such as fees for the anesthesia and surgical facility, and may not account for price differences across geographic regions. An accurate cost estimate will be provided after your needs are evaluated in a consultation. The University of Kansas Health System accepts plastic surgery financing from qualified patients through CommerceCare™, a reputable healthcare lending company commonly utilized for elective surgery and cosmetic treatments.
Cheek Augmentation with Fillers
Though cheek implants were commonly used in the past to enhance cheekbones, they are currently less popular with the advent of long-lasting and effective soft tissue fillers, such as Restylane® Lyft, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC, and Sculptra® Aesthetic. Unlike pre-manufactured implants, injectable fillers give our surgeons the ability to customize facial recontouring and volume enhancement to meet each patient’s individual needs.
How is Treatment with Cheek Fillers Performed?
Cheek fillers are injected during a non-surgical treatment that does not usually require anesthesia. Each treatment takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes depending on your unique needs. Following a discussion of your goals and concerns, your injector will help you determine the best dermal filler(s) to achieve a natural-looking cheek contour. The product will then be delivered to flat or sunken areas of the mid-face using an ultra-fine needle. The results of Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® injections should be immediately apparent, while the outcome of Sculptra® Aesthetic should unfold over the following months. No downtime is required after treatment with cheek fillers.
How Long Do Cheek Fillers Last?
Depending on which product was used during your cheek augmentation, fillers can last anywhere from six months to two years. While cheek fillers like Restylane® Lyft, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC, and Sculptra® Aesthetic can often achieve rejuvenation for up to one to two years, the rate at which each product breaks down varies from patient to patient. Periodic touch-up treatments can help preserve the outcome achieved with cheek augmentation.
How Much Does Cheek Augmentation with Fillers Cost?
Fortunately, non-surgical cosmetic enhancement with dermal fillers can be a more economical treatment than undergoing plastic surgery. The cost of cheek augmentation will depend on the unique details of your treatment plan, including:
- The type of filler(s) utilized
- The extent of your concerns
- The amount of product necessary to achieve your goals
A member of our team can provide you with a personalized quote during your appointment. Financing plans through CommerceCare™ are available to help qualified patients manage the cost of treatment with cheek fillers. Please call our office for any questions you may have about pricing or minimally invasive cheek augmentation.
One of the most recognizable and visible aspects of a person’s appearance is their facial profile. Dr. J. David Kriet and Dr. Clinton D. Humphrey can evaluate you for profile enhancement with mentoplasty and/or injectable fillers. Contact The University of Kansas Health System to schedule a consultation.