Cheek Implant Removal

With the growing popularity of fat injection into the face, cheek implants have decreases in popularity. In fact, many patients with cheek implants are choosing to have their firm cheek implants removed and replace the lost volume with fat injection. Other causes for removing cheek implants are listed below.

Infection
Though infections of the face are exceedingly rare, cheek implants may occasionally become infected. In a majority of cases, the exact cause for the infected cheek implant is not identified, but dental infections or procedures have occasionally been known to lead to infection of cheek implants. Once infected, the cheek implants have to be removed and replaced once the infection has fully resolved.

Asymmetry
Nearly all faces have some degree of asymmetry from one side to another. Any type of facial procedure can highlight the already existing facial unevenness or asymmetry. If the asymmetry is significant enough, the cheek implants can be removed or exchanged to improve results.

Nerve compression
Cheek implants placed over the cheek bone or zygomatic arch can under rare circumstances place excess pressure a sensory nerve to the face. Called the infraorbital nerve, this particular nerve exits the skull at the inferior aspect of the eye socket or orbit. Short-term or permanent injury to the nerve can lead to numbness or pain at the corresponsding side of the face. Once diagnosed, immediate removal of the implant is necessary to prevent any long-term nerve damage. If you suspect you have such pain or numbness at the side of the face after a cheek implant, you are encouraged to contact our office immediately for a consultation in order to confirm the diagnosis of a nerve compression.

Personal dissatisfaction
Whether the cheek implants are too small, too large or just not the right look, dissatisfaction with cheek implants may rarely occur. Please contact our office to discuss your personal experience with your cheek implant to allow us to give you as much information as you may need to make an informed decision regarding possible removal of your cheek implant.