Facial Implant Surgery: Permanent Chin & Cheek Contouring

Facial beauty and attractiveness largely depend on the definition and proportions of the underlying bone structure. A strong jawline, prominent cheekbones, and a balanced profile are cornerstones of aesthetics and self-confidence for both women and men. However, genetically weaker contours or volume loss due to aging can lead to a less defined, tired, and indistinct facial appearance. When temporary solutions like fillers fall short, Facial Implants step in to offer a permanent and impactful solution.

Facial implants are biocompatible prostheses designed to enhance the skeletal structure of the face, sharpen contours, and provide lasting definition. At his clinic in Istanbul, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Bayram, leveraging his deep expertise in facial anatomy and aesthetic vision, offers the most suitable chin implant, cheek implant, or jawline implant options, ensuring natural, harmonious, and permanent results tailored to your unique facial structure.

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What are Facial Implants? (Permanent and Defined Facial Features)

A facial implant is an anatomically shaped prosthesis made from body-compatible materials, placed over the bone in specific areas of the face (chin, cheekbones, jawline) to augment volume and projection. The primary goal of this procedure is to strengthen the fundamental contours of the face, creating a more balanced, symmetrical, and attractive appearance.

Unlike filler injections, facial implants do not provide temporary volume; they create permanent structural support. This ensures that the results last a lifetime and maintain a consistent appearance. Modern implants are designed in sizes and shapes conforming to general human anatomy, appearing entirely like a natural part of the bone structure when viewed externally.

Types of Facial Implants and Application Areas

Facial implants vary based on the targeted area and aesthetic goal. The most commonly performed types include:

Chin Implant (Mentoplasty)

A chin implant is one of the most effective methods for balancing the facial profile and creating a stronger jawline.

• Purpose: To augment a recessed or weak chin, bringing it forward for better projection, balancing the lower third of the face, and potentially reducing the appearance of a double chin.

• Chin Implants for Men: Particularly preferred by male patients to create a sharper, squarer, and more masculine jawline.

• Placement: Usually inserted through a small, hidden incision under the chin (submental) or from inside the mouth (intraoral), leaving no visible external scar in the latter case.

Cheek Implant (Malarplasty)

Prominent cheekbones are a symbol of youth and attractiveness. Cheek implants aim to permanently augment this area.

• Purpose: To add volume to flat or indistinct cheeks, recreate the "triangle of youth," and provide a subtle lifting effect to the mid-face.

• Placement: Most often placed through incisions made inside the mouth (upper gum line) or sometimes through an incision hidden along the lower eyelid lash line, ensuring scars remain completely concealed.

Jawline Implant (Mandibular Implant)

Used to create the highly sought-after sharp jawline, one of the most popular aesthetic trends in recent years.

• Purpose: To enhance the entire mandibular border from the angle of the jaw to the chin tip, providing a sharper, more angular, and defined frame to the face. Creates impressive results in both women and men.

Facial Implant Surgery Process: Step by Step

1. Consultation and 3D Planning: The process begins with a detailed consultation with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Bayram. During this stage, your facial anatomy is analyzed, and using 3D simulation technology, the most appropriate implant size, shape, and placement are planned specifically for you. This allows you to gain a realistic preview of the potential outcome before the surgery.

2. Implant Materials: Silicone and Medpor: Facial implants are typically made from two primary materials:

• Silicone: Implants made from solid silicone have been used safely for many years. They are well-tolerated by the body and are relatively easier to remove if necessary.

• Medpor (Porex): This is a porous polyethylene material. Its porous structure allows the body's own tissue to grow into the implant, providing excellent fixation and integration.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Bayram will discuss the pros and cons of each material and recommend the best option based on your individual case.

3. Surgery Day and Anesthesia: Facial implant surgery is performed in a fully equipped hospital setting, usually under general anesthesia or deep sedation. The operation typically lasts 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type and number of implants being placed.

Facial Implant Recovery Process

• First Week: Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in the surgical area are normal post-operatively. If incisions were made inside the mouth, adhering to a soft or liquid diet for the first few days is important. A special bandage or compression garment may be used as recommended by your doctor.

• 1-2 Weeks: Sutures are removed (if non-dissolvable) or dissolve on their own. The majority of swelling and bruising subsides. Most patients can return to social activities and desk jobs by the end of this period.

• 1 Month: Patients can usually return to most of their normal physical activities. Facial contours begin to emerge more clearly, although some residual swelling may still be present.

• 3-6 Months: As all tissues fully settle around the implant and all swelling resolves, the final, permanent, and aesthetic contour of the face becomes clearly visible.

Facial Implants vs. Fillers: Which Method is Right for You?

While both implants and fillers can be used to improve facial contours, there are fundamental differences between them:

• Permanence: Facial implants are permanent; a single operation yields a lifelong result. Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary, requiring repeat treatments every 1-2 years to maintain the effect.

• Effect: Implants mimic bone structure, providing structural support and sharp projection. Fillers add volume to soft tissues, creating a softer contour.

• Application: Implants require a surgical procedure, whereas fillers are a non-surgical treatment administered via injection.

Fillers can be a good option for "trying out" a change or adding minimal volume. However, for those seeking a permanent, distinct, and structural enhancement, facial implants are the most definitive and effective solution.

Facial Implant Costs 2025

Facial implant costs vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of implant used (chin, cheek, jawline), the implant material, the standards of the hospital where the surgery is performed, and the surgeon's experience. A personalized treatment plan and precise cost information can only be determined after a personal consultation with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Bayram.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Implant Surgery

Are facial implants noticeable or palpable from the outside?

No. Implants are placed directly on the bone and typically beneath the muscle tissue. When the correct size and shape are chosen and placed by an experienced surgeon like Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Bayram, the implant is neither visible nor palpable externally; it feels like a natural extension of the bone structure.

Will there be a scar after chin implant surgery?

If the implant is placed through an incision under the chin (submental), a very small (approx. 2 cm) scar hidden in the natural crease remains, which fades significantly over time. If placed from inside the mouth (intraoral), there is no external scar whatsoever.

Are facial implants lifelong permanent?

Yes, facial implants are made from highly durable and biocompatible materials designed to last a lifetime.

How long is the recovery process after facial implant surgery?

Most patients can return to social life within 1-2 weeks. However, it takes 3 to 6 months for all swelling to completely subside and the final result to fully settle.

What is the main difference between a cheek implant and filler?

The primary difference lies in permanence and effect. An implant provides permanent, structural projection to the cheekbone, while filler adds temporary (1-2 years) volume to the soft tissue. For those desiring significant and lasting projection, an implant is the superior method.

What are the risks of facial implant surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there are minimal risks such as infection or bleeding. Rare risks specific to implants include displacement (shifting) or asymmetry. These risks are minimized by choosing an experienced surgeon who utilizes proper techniques, like Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Bayram.