Can Labiomental Fold Treatment Be An Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley, It appears that very few plastic surgeons offer a permanent solution for labiomental fold treatment (reduction). After reading your case study on the subject, and considering other options, I’ve decided to either address this issue with Silikon-1000 a permanent filler, or with an implant which I prefer. You would be my choice of surgeons for the implant. But I have one problem. As far as I’m concerned, I do not want any scars, regardless of how small or imperceptible they may be. My question to you is… Would it be possible to have the implant put in place from inside the mouth rather than through small incisions on the skin?

A: Labiomental fold treatment (reduction) is a challenging procedure and I would not refer to any treatment of it as permanent since facial aging is a progressive procedure. I would not recommend a subcutaneous labiomental fold implant be placed through an intraoral incision. Besides not being able to get it in the ideal place, there is going to be a higher risk of infection dragging the implant through oral mucosa. I think an implant is the right procedure for labiomental fold reduction, just not placing in through the mouth.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana