Facial Skeletal Augmentation

Procedures include:

• Cheek implants
• Chin implants and enhancements of other aspects of the lower jaw
• Genioplasty

This is an area of aesthetic plastic surgery often overlooked by many surgeons because of their lack of experience in this field. Because of Dr. Lucas' extensive background in craniofacial surgery, he has a unique ability to evaluate patients and perform these unique procedures with precision.

In evaluating a face for rejuvenation or for harmonizing the proportions of the face, it is important to analyze the underlying skeletal support. When patients are unhappy about their facial appearance but cannot describe exactly what they don't like about their features, this is often related to an imbalance of the face. For example, a patient may have an overly prominent a nose with a small chin, excessive showing of teeth with high smile line related to a long upper jaw, a very flat face with lack of cheek projection related to a deficient upper jaw with respect to the rest of the face, or an aged-looking neck which might indicate a small chin that cannot adequately support the neck's soft tissues. This depth of analysis should be considered when discussing facial rejuvenation or nose surgery.

Cheek implants can be a relatively simple procedure with all incisions restricted to the mouth under the lip. Dr. Lucas utilizes an implant material called Medpore, a compound which is easily carved and can be customized to an individual's facial needs. Cheek implants are secured with a single tiny titanium screw. This procedure can camouflage a deficient upper jaw and enhance soft tissue support of the cheek area giving a face a more balanced and youthful appearance. This concept can be extended to the area at the base of the nose which can provide added support to the upper lip giving a fuller appearance.

The chin is an important feature of the face and, if deficient, can make the lower face (from a point just below the nose to the bottom of the chin) appear small. Skeletal deficiency in this area can make the soft tissues of the neck seem excessive and even a young teenager can have the appearance of an old-looking neck. Additionally, it can cause the nose to appear to be too prominent. In these circumstances, some surgeons would opt for a chin implant. However, in Dr. Lucas' experience, while chin implants can be indicated in a few situations, a genioplasty will frequently give a superior result. Chin implants can only make the chin larger in one dimension, but a genioplasty can change the chin not only horizontally but also vertically. In addition, this procedure, which is performed through the inside of the mouth, advances the bone of the chin and moves the soft tissues of the neck forward, giving a new neck line with the chin enhancement. This procedure can be performed easily within one hour, with little down time. Besides the chin, other aspects of the lower jaw can be accentuated, including the angles of the jaw, giving a more prominent appearance to the lower face. 

In summary, these are safe procedures which are predictable, can be performed without scars to the face, and can greatly harmonize features, instilling natural beauty through a balanced face.