Can You Remove Face Implants?
Can You Remove Face Implants?
The most commonly known implants are breast implants, but implants can be used to augment and improve most areas of the body and face. Over time, implants may need to be removed and/or replaced as they are not guaranteed to last for a lifetime.
There are a number of reasons for this, most commonly this can be due to a health-related diagnosis, lifestyle changes including weight loss or weight gain or complications as a result of the implants such as infection, silicone leak, calcium build-up, dead tissues surrounding the implant, ruptured implants or capsular contracture or changes in the shape and position of the implant.
Face Implant Removal
Implant removal is a revision procedure for people who have had implants previously and due to different circumstances, now need them removed. Sometimes the removal and replacement of an implant can be more complicated than the original implant and is more susceptible to infection and/or bleeding due to scar tissue.
Face Implant Removal Causes and Reasons
Chin Implant Removal
Chin implants are the most commonly inserted facial implants. Some of the older chin implants were soft and resembled breast implants with their associated risks of mechanical complication such as rupture or leaks. The new generation of chin implants are solid and have a far fewer rate of mechanical complications. Chin augmentation of a chin implant procedure is a perfect adjunct to a nose surgery or rhinoplasty procedure in those who have a recessive or small chin.
Some of the causes leading to chin implant removal are highlighted below:
. Shifting: A chin implant may move either immediately or sometime after insertion. Such shifting may lead to an implant which is too high on the chin or too low. It can even move slightly from one side to the other leading to an asymmetrical or uneven chin. If significant, the chin implant can be removed and replaced if so desired.
. Infection: Though rare, infection of a chin implant can occur. If the chin implant is inserted through an incision inside the mouth, there is a slightly higher infection rate relative to placing the chin implant through an incision under the chin. Mild infections can be treated with antibiotics. More severe infections will necessitate removal of the chin implant will possible revision once the infection has fully resolved.
. Asymmetry: Shifting of the chin implant can lead to unevenness or asymmetry of the chin. If some chin asymmetry exists prior to chin augmentation, the chin implant can actually worsen the asymmetry. In such cases, the implant can be removed and reinserted if so desired.
. Nerve Compression: Occasionally the chin implant can compress the mental nerve, which is the nerve responsible for sensory innervation to the chin and lower lip. Once diagnosed, the chin implant may have to be removed to relieve the pressure on the sensory nerve. Adjusting the chin implant to move it away from the nerve may also treat the problem.
. Bone Resorption: Our bones are always remodeling in response to stress. Constant pressure from a chin implant can lead to resorption of the mandible or jaw bone. In severe cases of bone resorption after chin augmentation, chin implants can lead to tooth loss or deformities of the mandible. Removal of the chin implant is necessary to halt the proportion in such extreme cases of bone resorption.
. Extrusion: After the chin implant is placed in its pocket in front of the mandible, it can shift in position, causing it to partially extrude out of the body. Wound healing problem after a chin augmentation procedure may also lead to implant extrusion and require removal of the implant.
. Personal Dissatisfaction: Whether the chin implant is too small, excessively large, or not the ideal shape for your particular needs, it can be removed. After most of the inflammation has resolved from a chin augmentation procedure, timely removal of an unwanted chin implant is necessary.
Cheek Implant Removal
With the growing popularity of fat injection into the face, cheek implants have decreased 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 sometimes 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 cheekbone or zygomatic arch can under rare circumstances place excess pressure on 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 corresponding side of the face. Once diagnosed, immediate removal of the implant is necessary to prevent any long-term nerve damage.
. Personal Dissatisfaction: Whether the cheek implants are too small, too large or just not the right look, dissatisfaction with cheek implants may rarely occur.
Nose Implant Removal
Some common causes of nose implant issues include:
. Infection: Infections of implants placed into the nose are actually higher than other types of implants such as breast implants. If infected, a course of antibiotics may be started, but the nose implant will likely have to be removed.
. Extrusion: Under rare circumstances, a nose implant may extrude or come out of a wound at the nose. Such problems are most common in smokers or patients at high risk of wound healing problems. Once a nose implant begins to come out of the nose, it has to be removed in order to minimize the risk of infection. Another means of nasal support or augmentation will have to be performed once the infection has resolved.
. Change in Shape: Nose implants can either shift in position or in shape long after the implant was placed inside the nose. Whether due to trauma or unknown causes, if the change in shape or position of the implant is significant enough, the nose implant has to be removed and repositioned into its correct location. Certain types of nasal implants such as L-struts may actually break leading to change in nasal support and shape. In such cases, the nose implant will again have to be exchanged for either another synthetic implant or one made of the patient’s cartilage.
. Asymmetry: Close examination of anyone’s nose typically reveals subtle asymmetry or unevenness from one side to another. Nasal implants may at times highlight the asymmetry of the nose. If such problems are moderately severe, the nasal implant can be removed and/or replaced.
. Personal Dissatisfaction: On occasion, the results of a nasal implant may fall short of your expectations. If you are extremely dissatisfied with the results, the nose implant can be removed.
About Iranian Surgery
Iranian surgery is an online medical tourism platform where you can find the best plastic surgeons in Iran. The price of facial Implants in Iran can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined by an in-person assessment with the doctor.
For more information about the cost of facial Implants in Iran and to schedule an appointment in advance, you can contact Iranian Surgery consultants via WhatsApp number 0098 901 929 0946. This service is completely free.
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