Facial Implants

Center for
Cosmetic Surgery
303-744-2300
303-708-8787


		Nicolette Picerno, MD
		Jeffrey Raval, MD, FACS
		Paul H. Dragul, MD

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Facial Implants
(Chin Reshaping with or without Rhinoplasty)

The chin is an important feature to evaluate when trying to achieve facial harmony. This is especially true if someone wishes to make a larger nose appear smaller. This is because a weak or receding chin can make your nose appear bigger than it really is. To evaluate your chin, the surgeon will look at your face in profile. A vertical line drawn down from the edge of your lower lip should just touch your chin. If the tip of your chin is behind this line, a chin augmentation may be needed to bring your facial features in balance. If it extends beyond the line, on the other hand, you may benefit from reduction chin surgery.

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Gortex®
New developments in facial implants center around lip augmentation. Gortex® is a synthetic implant which has been used for years in cardiovascular surgery and renal transplant surgery. In recent years, it has had increased popularity as a soft tissue implant in the face because of its soft contour and minimal complications. With any type of implant there is always the potential for infection, rejection, irritation, and reaction.

Strips of Gortex® are inserted in the loose connective tissue under the lip or facial surfaces. The implant is introduced through the chin and cheek, and then threaded underneath the skin. The entrance and exit sites are closed with a small dissolvable suture. In deep folds, several augmentation procedures spaced at least three months apart may be necessary. The advantage of this technique is that the implant does not dissolve and there will be additional augmentation due to the body's fibrous tissue being stimulate to form around the Gortex® implant. Over the next 90 days, a fibrous tissue capsule forms which provides additional augmentation and contouring, serving to further insulate the implant.

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Collagen
Injections Zyderm and Zyplast are frequently used for augmentation purposes. A skin test is necessary spaced at one month intervals to ensure that an individual is not allergic to the collagen. The collagen can then be injected into the intradermal space for augmentation. Two or three injections are usually necessary to obtain the most appropriate contouring. These injections need to be continued approximately once a year in order to maintain the contour as they are only temporary and are eventually reabsorbed by the body.

Other types of injectable materials can also be used to improve the appearance of fine lines and scars. New techniques are developed continually. Come in for a consultation to find out what is best for your most beautiful face possible!

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