Dear Dr. Winder:
Q. My face looks "flat" and "un-interesting" because I think they forgot to give me cheekbones. What can you tell me about cheek implants?

A. When any facial feature is "weak" or "small" in comparison to the other parts of your face, cheek implants can bring the face "into balance". A higher, fuller cheek creates a more youthful appearance, as the cheek area is one of the first parts of the face to move downwards.

I also use cheek implants when done with a "subperiosteal" or "mid-face" facelift; the addition of implants at the same time, create a more dramatic effect on the carefully selected patient, and provide a longer-lasting result.

Cheek implants can be inserted through a lower eyelid incision, or from the inside of the mouth at the buccogingival fold (where the top of the gums meet the cheek). Either way, there are no tell-tale scars.

Read more about this procedure.