Facial surgery2 min read

Facial implants: cheek, chin and jaw

Implants add structure where the underlying bone is the limiting factor. What they can do that soft-tissue treatments cannot.

Stone Surgical ArtsOriginally published December 2, 2024Updated September 9, 2026

Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts

Facial implants add permanent projection to the facial skeleton. They address a different problem from fillers or a lift, which is the distinction most worth understanding.

A thought to keep

Implants change the structure beneath. Fillers change volume above it, and lifts reposition what is there.

What they do

A facial implant is a shaped, biocompatible material placed over the bone to add projection or definition, most commonly at the chin, the jaw angle or the cheek.

Because they sit on the skeleton, they change the underlying shape rather than adding volume to soft tissue. That is why they can achieve definition that filler cannot, and why they are a bigger decision.

Compared with the alternatives

Fillers can produce a similar impression in some areas, temporarily and with no operation, and they are a reasonable way to explore whether more projection suits you. Repeated large-volume filler is not an economical or predictable long-term substitute.

Where the patient’s own bone can be repositioned instead, as with genioplasty at the chin, that may be preferable, particularly where height or asymmetry needs correcting.

The procedure and recovery

Implants are usually placed through incisions inside the mouth or in a concealed position, and secured so they cannot move. Swelling is considerable at first and settles over weeks.

Numbness in the area is common early on and usually temporary, though altered sensation can persist.

Risks and the long view

The specific risks are infection, movement of the implant and asymmetry, any of which may require a further procedure. Ask what material is being used, how it is fixed and what removal or exchange would involve.

An implant is intended to be permanent, but it is also removable, which is a genuine advantage over irreversible reduction of bone.

Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.