Can Hydroxyapatite Cement Be Used For Facial Asymmetry Correction?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I`m interested in facial asymmetry correction using hydroxyapatite(I suppose my bone structure at right and left side of eyes and under eyes area are different a bit). And also I`d love to have my brow bones augmented using the same material. 

A: Hydroxyapatite cement, while having biologic appeal, would be a very poor material for any facial bone asymmetry correction as its application is very imprecise. Plus as a general rule you don’t make intraoperative eyeball assessments of how to correct facial bone asymmetries. This usually just leads to ongoing asymmetry issues. The most accurate way to do facial asymmetry corrections is with a preoperative 3D CT scan to accurately determine what is the actual millimeter difference between the two sides. From which accurate custom implants can be designed to provide the best asymmetry correction.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon