Can Custom Orbital Rim Implants Be Made To Look Good On A Small Face?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had orbital rim implants six weeks ago along with a canthoplasty, but I believe they are too big for my very small face, and created a concave shape in my cheeks below the implant. Are there custom implants that would look good on a small face? I am a small built female with a very narrow face.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and detailing your recent surgery. Once of the ‘advantages’ of having implants in place and knowing what you don’t like about them is that it makes designing a new implant that works better much more likely. (i.e., when you know what doesn’t work that helps considerably in figuring out what will work) Beside the size issue one of the disadvantages of preformed implant shapes is they are made for a skull model and not your specific anatomy. This is why the transition between the implant and what lies around or below it is obvious now that the swelling has subsided. Custom implants solve/improve that issue by their design in most cases. A preoperative 3D CT scan nay also reveal any other reasons (e.g., positioning) as to why you see what you see on the outside.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana