My experience with Dr. Summers and his staff was superior. Everyone was very professional and helpful and all were eager to make you feel comfortable.
– Barbara F.
I can’t believe how incredible my skin looks after Dr. Summers did laser resurfacing for me. Love, love, love it!
– K. V
Dr. Summers is always very meticulous and caring when treating me. He answers all of my questions and ensures the best result. He is always available for your concerns.
– Mamie A.
High cheekbones and a strong jaw line are frequently desired by patients. Along with the eyes, the cheekbones and jaw line form the most photogenic aspects of the face. Chin and cheek implants are a great way to enhance your facial profile by improving the overall proportion and balance of the face.
With facial implants the symmetry of the face can be shaped and contoured. Cheek implants (malarplasty), also known as malar (high cheek) or submalar (low cheek) augmentation, can add fullness and definition to the face. Chin implants (mentoplasty) can redefine the profile of the face. Utilizing permanent chin and cheek implants can create a rejuvenated, youthful facial apearance. With a more prominent chin or higher cheekbones, your face will appear more attractive and in better balance to your nose, eyes, and forehead. Friends may notice you look better but will not be able to pinpoint exactly why!
At the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Summers performs cheek and chin augmentation procedures with implants to alter the shape of your cheeks and chin without affecting your current bone structure. The implants are made from various materials that have been used successfully for many years. Other forms of augmentation, such as collagen injections, fat grafts, or bone grafts are possible depending upon the result you seek.
- Extend or enlarge the chin if the chin is recessed or small.
- Create a more defined facial profile if the jaw, chin, or cheeks lack distinction.
- Bring the various aspects of the face into proportion.
- Round out the cheeks if they are hollow due to heredity or aging.
- Improve your cheeks if they are flat or sunken.
- Accent the upper cheeks making them appear higher and fuller.
At the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, a local anesthetic is typically used for these surgeries, which means you will be awake for the procedure but will feel no pain. Optionally, you may request a sedative to make you drowsy, in which case you should arrange for someone else to drive you home.
Dr. Summers hides the scars by making an incision inside your lower lip or under your chin. The implant is then placed in the proper location inside your chin in front of the jawbone , and the incisions are stitched.
With cheek augmentation, incisions are made either inside the mouth, through the lower cheek, or directly below the bottom eyelid on the high cheek. Most commonly, the incisions are made using dissolving stitches inside the mouth so that the scars are hidden.
Both chin and cheek implant procedures normally take anywhere from one-half to two hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chin & Cheek Implants:
Click on a question below to see the answer.
A: At the Maryland Plastic Surgery Center, it is very common for patients to have a functional rhinoplasty (e.g. surgery to make it easier to breathe through the nose) at the same time as a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Simultaneous procedures typically include septoplasty for a deviated septum, turbinectomy to open the inner airway, and nasal valve repair for internal nasal valve collapse.
Also, it is appropriate to have other facial cosmetic procedures simultaneous with a cosmetic rhinoplasty. For example, in selected patients, a chin implant can tremendously enhance the results of a rhinoplasty. Similarly, liposuction of the neck can substantially improve a patient’s profile when combined with a rhinoplasty.
A: Due to the variety of procedures available in plastic surgery, there can be no blanket rule on age although age will be taken into consideration when planning your operation. People of all ages have taken advantage of the image-enhancement offered by plastic surgery. There are even procedures appropriate for young children! It is important to realize the limitations of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery cannot “fix” every situation or reverse the aging process. What is a good procedure for one person may not be an appropriate procedure for another. We are committed to making your plastic surgery experience a successful one.
A: During your consultation we will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the procedure(s) in question are right for you. This is a good time to ask specific questions about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery. We will discuss the results that can be achieved, with the aid of photos and/or computer imaging. When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.
A: Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. The length of recovery varies with each procedure and is different for each individual. Bruises usually disappear within a few days, and most swelling is gone in a matter of weeks. If you follow our post-operative instructions carefully, you will be able to enjoy your normal activities within no time. Your scars will fade over time but are permanent. We take care to conceal any scars so that they are barely visible, if at all. The image-enhancing effects of plastic surgery become more evident over time with certain procedures taking up to a year for your body to fully adjust and settle into its new look. When you come in for your consultation we can discuss your expected recovery period and any post-operative instructions in detail.
A: Insurance providers generally cover costs for reconstructive surgery such as nose surgery to allow for a patient to breathe better. Therefore, the insurance company may pay a part of the surgical fees. If your surgery is covered by insurance, pre-certification is required. We will be happy to assist you with the process.
Note: Insurance companies will not pay for any portion of a procedure that is cosmetic. Therefore, do not expect your insurance company to reimburse you completely for all of the fees you have paid. Also, patients are responsible for full payment of their quoted fees prior to surgery. Reimbursement, when available, will be made by your insurance company directly to you.
A: The type of the anesthesia varies with each procedure. For some procedures, only local anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous (IV) sedation is needed. This method will allow you to be awake, but insensitive to any pain. In more complex procedures, general anesthesia is needed and you will be asleep during the entire procedure. The anesthesia used in your operation will depend on the type and extent of the procedure(s), your age, and the surgeon’s preference.
A: Maryland Plastic Surgery is Maryland’s premiere cosmetic surgery center and medical spa. The Center’s director, Dr. Adam Summers, is an expert cosmetic surgeon who uses advanced techniques to achieve natural looking results. Just 15 minutes from Baltimore, Howard County (Columbia) and Annapolis, the Center specializes in tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and facelift procedures. © Baltimore Maryland Plastic Surgery Center and Medical Spa.