Cheek Implants
in Charlotte, NC

Only Faces in Charlotte, NC, offers cheek implants to enhance our patients’ appearance and rejuvenate their faces. The implants are surgically inserted to add definition and fullness to the midface region. They can address flat or sunken areas in the cheeks, restoring a more youthful, balanced appearance. Dr. Sean Freeman, a globally renowned expert in facial plastic surgery, customizes the implant type and placement to achieve each patient’s aesthetic goals. With over 30 years of experience and double board certification, he delivers exceptional care and natural-looking results that can boost self-confidence and body image.
Cheek Implants
in Charlotte, NC
Only Faces in Charlotte, NC, offers cheek implants to enhance our patients’ appearance and rejuvenate their faces. The implants are surgically inserted to add definition and fullness to the midface region. They can address flat or sunken areas in the cheeks, restoring a more youthful, balanced appearance. Dr. Sean Freeman, a globally renowned expert in facial plastic surgery, customizes the implant type and placement to achieve each patient’s aesthetic goals. With over 30 years of experience and double board certification, he delivers exceptional care and natural-looking results that can boost self-confidence and body image.

What Is a
Cheek Implant?

Cheek implants are medical devices made of solid silicone or other materials. They are surgically inserted into the midface region to improve contours and make the face look more balanced and youthful. The implants are placed through small incisions inside the mouth. This cheek augmentation procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes under general anesthesia. It provides permanent results because the implants remain in the cheeks for life unless removed through revision surgery.

Cheek Implant
Before & After Pictures

Types of
Cheek Implants

Malar implants enhance the natural cheekbones, giving them more projection and definition. They are placed directly over the cheekbone (malar) area, providing a lifted, contoured appearance to the upper face. This type of implant is ideal for patients seeking a more pronounced and sculpted look.
Submalar implants restore volume beneath the cheekbones, addressing hollowness in the mid-face region. These devices are positioned lower than malar implants, filling in sunken areas and creating a fuller, more youthful appearance. Individuals experiencing facial volume loss due to aging or weight reduction often choose this option.
Combined implants target both the cheekbone projection and mid-face volume. These devices provide a dual effect by enhancing prominence while restoring fullness to the area beneath. This option is ideal for individuals who want both defined cheekbones and a fuller mid-face for a more balanced and harmonious appearance.

Cheek Implant
Materials

Silicone is the most common and traditional cheek implant material. It is a solid, flexible material that mimics the feel of natural bone and soft tissue. Silicone implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different facial contours.
Medpor is a porous, rigid material that allows tissue to grow into its tiny holes over time. The form can be precisely carved for customized facial implants. As tissues grow into Medpor, the implant becomes fixed in place. Dr. Freeman does not recommend this material.
ePTFE is a soft, compressible material that is also porous to allow tissue ingrowth. It has a natural feel and can change shape in response to facial movements. ePTFE implants are less invasive as they are inserted through smaller incisions. Dr. Freeman does not recommend this material.
Some surgeons use the patient’s fat, harvested from places like the thighs or abdomen. This tissue is then injected into the cheeks in small amounts. Dr. Freeman rarely uses this approach as he feels it is unpredictable and complications are difficult to fix.
Before receiving cheek implants, a consultation is typically scheduled with Dr. Freeman to discuss the goals and expectations for the procedure. He evaluates the facial structure and bone anatomy to determine if the individual is a good candidate. Dr. Freeman also discusses the options for implant type, size, and placement location to create the desired aesthetic changes. Leading up to the surgery date, patients are provided with the following pre-operative instructions:

Consultation & Preparation for
Cheek Implants

Cheek Augmentation
Procedure

Cheek augmentation is performed under general anesthesia to keep the patient completely unconscious and unaware during the operation. This involves providing intravenous medications to induce a loss of consciousness at the start of facial surgery, maintaining that state throughout, and then reversing the anesthesia at the end. This approach allows us to avoid any pain and achieve excellent cosmetic results.
Dr. Freeman makes small incisions inside the mouth along the upper cheekbone area. The internal cuts allow the implants to be inserted with no visible scarring.
Dr. Freeman creates small pockets in the cheek area beneath the soft tissue layers. The implants are inserted into the pockets and positioned for optimal augmentation and facial harmony. These implants are made of solid silicone and customized to suit the natural curves of the cheek area. Dr. Freeman uses a deep suture to hold the implant in place. He also ensures that the implants are oriented correctly before closing the incisions.
Dr. Freeman seals the openings with sutures at the end of this facial plastic surgery. Dissolving stitches are used for internal mouth incisions, so no removal is necessary later on.
Implants enhance and better define the cheeks, providing a youthful appearance. However, many patients feel that adding chin implants may help balance facial proportions even more. A small or weak chin can make well-defined cheekbones seem overly pronounced or dominant. Adding a chin implant may strengthen the jawline and support the results. For chin augmentation surgery, Dr. Freeman makes a small incision in the submental area. This combination of cosmetic procedures (chin + cheek augmentation) is often requested by patients who want to rejuvenate the entire face.

Add-On Procedure:
Chin Implant Surgery

Recovery After
Cheek Implant
Surgery

Week 1

Swelling and bruising are common during the first week after cheek implant surgery. Pain medication is typically prescribed for a few days to help manage discomfort. Patients are instructed to sleep with their heads elevated on several pillows to minimize swelling. A soft diet is recommended for a couple of weeks to minimize irritating the incision inside the mouth. Strenuous activity should be avoided.

Week 2

Swelling and bruising start to subside in the second week, although some mild swelling may persist. Discomfort is usually significantly diminished, allowing patients to return to work or school. A soft diet is still recommended in the second week. Patients can usually transition back to their routines but should continue avoiding strenuous physical activity that could impact the implants.

Long-Term Recovery

Most bruising resolves within 1-2 weeks. Swelling that the patient will notice usually takes six weeks to three months to improve. Discomfort dissipates during this period, allowing patients to resume their regular diet. During follow-up appointments, Dr. Freeman monitors the healing progress. Once cleared by the surgeon, patients can gradually ease back into their exercise routines in four to six weeks. The full results of cheek augmentation are visible after 3-6 months of recovery.

Candidates for
Cheek Implants

Cheek implants can be helpful for many groups of people. The only criteria are that patients must be generally healthy, have realistic expectations, and be willing to follow the doctor’s instructions, such as quitting smoking and avoiding certain medications. The following groups may be considered potential candidates:

Benefits of
Cheek Implants

Only Faces offers the best implants to enhance the structure and shape of the cheeks. There are several potential benefits to getting this treatment:

Cost of Cheek Implants
in Charlotte, NC

The cost of cheek implants in Charlotte ranges from $4,000 to $15,000. Some of the factors that influence the total price of this treatment include:

What Makes Our
Facial Implant
Surgery Different
From Others?

Patients seeking cheek implants in Charlotte should consider contacting our amazing team at Only Faces. With over 30 years of specialization in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Sean Freeman is the right surgeon for aesthetic rejuvenation. He offers unparalleled expertise in procedures ranging from rhinoplasty to deep plane facelifts. As a double board-certified specialist, Dr. Freeman has pioneered innovative techniques like the SOOF lift blepharoplasty. His global reputation draws patients worldwide to benefit from his refined skills and commitment to excellent care.
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