Correcting chin and cheekbones with mentoplasty and malaroplasty:
a choice for facial harmony
The shape and size of the chin and cheekbones greatly influence facial harmony. A face with flat or underdeveloped cheekbones and cheeks can look less defined and less attractive.
Enhancing cheekbone and mid-face projection can give a flat or hollow face a more youthful appearance. Likewise, increasing the projection of a short, retrusive chin can make the face more balanced and attractive. This type of correction can also reduce the perceived prominence of a slightly over-projected nose. The profile is defined by the relationship among the forehead, nose, and chin: when the chin is retrusive, even a nose only slightly larger than average can appear markedly more prominent.
How chin and cheekbone implants are made
Modern implants have highly anatomical shapes, allowing precise customization of the final result.
Depending on the goals, the most suitable implant can be selected to achieve a natural, pleasing outcome. Implants come in various sizes to appropriately correct an underdeveloped chin (mentoplasty) in each case. Similarly, when indicated, they can be used to enhance underdefined cheekbones (malaroplasty).
Implants are made of highly biocompatible materials that correct contour deficiencies in a very natural way.
How mentoplasty and malaroplasty are performed
These procedures typically do not cause significant postoperative pain and may be performed alone or combined with other facial surgeries such as facelift, rhinoplasty, or blepharoplasty.
Scars are discreet, as they are concealed within natural skin folds.
Mentoplasty
A small incision is made either inside the lower lip mucosa or on the skin just beneath the chin crease. The implant is placed in a subperiosteal pocket—beneath the membrane covering the bone (periosteum)—in direct contact with the bone, where it stabilizes permanently. The result looks and feels completely natural.
Malaroplasty
The approach is similar for cheekbones, using an incision along the lower eyelid lash line (ciliary margin) or from inside the mouth. If performed together with a facelift or blepharoplasty, the access incisions from those procedures can be used.
Type of anesthesia
According to patient preference, both procedures can be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, or under general anesthesia with one day of hospitalization.
FAQ
Do you have questions about mentoplasty and malaroplasty?
Read here first.
No. Once implanted, the device is designed to last indefinitely.
No. The implant sits fixed against the bone within a pocket and does not shift, even after trauma.
They are made of pure, inert, medical-grade silicone.
No. The implants are biologically inert and non-reactive, and remain where placed indefinitely.
No, because it is placed deep beneath the soft tissues and conforms to the underlying bone.
No. It remains inert beneath the tissues and becomes an integral part of the facial contour.
No. Implants are available in multiple sizes and are selected to achieve a balanced, natural result.
Yes. They have been used for many years and have long-term follow-up over several decades.
