How Does Facial Bone Contouring Work?
Whether a patient is looking to achieve facial balance and harmony, highlight a positive element or downplay one, the beauty of facial contouring compared to other surgeries is that small alterations can lead to big results.
If you’re considering reinventing your profile, it’s a good idea to first familiarize yourself with how facial bone contouring works. Once you are educated on the basics you can arrange an appointment to discuss desired changes with a maxillofacial surgeon.
Determining which issues an individual patient faces is the first step in developing a surgical plan. CT imagery is used to generate photos of your facial bones and soft tissue to both identify problem areas and better understand realistic surgical options.
Initial consultation
Imagery in hand, your surgeon can accurately discuss the feasibility of your postop wishes as well as make recommendations for improving your look.
While most patients opt for cosmetic surgery with a single problem area in mind, more natural looking results are achieved when you and your surgeon examine your face as a whole.
Preparing for surgery
It’s important to note that cosmetic facial contouring is a significant surgery that should not be taken lightly. While modern surgery is very safe, your surgeon will cover potential risks and complications including those specific to facial surgery.
Adding or subtracting
Contouring is done by grinding away bone tissue, adding/removing fat or inserting facial implants. Achieving a balanced, natural result generally requires a combination of multiple techniques.
Patients who are uncomfortable with the prospect of silicone implants will want to discuss advanced techniques that utilize a patient’s own fat, cartilage or bone in lieu of artificial implants.
How long do the results last?
There are many factors that come in to play when determining the longevity of facial contouring. Age, surgical techniques and the nature of your changes are all part of the equation.
It’s impossible to predict how any given individual’s results will shift over time. In most cases, it’s a good idea to return for a check-up every 10 years to revisit your look and inspect the wear and tear of implants.
