Can the Canine Fossa of the Midface Be Augmented?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Is it possible to add canine fossa implants? Similar to how you want cheekbone implants for more cheek prominence and angularity. The shallowness of the canine fossa can have a significant effect on the appearance of the ogee curve and midface fullness. I have attached images below of fossa variances and theirs effects. The faces of the models seem to be on each of the ends of the bony fossa image attached. There seems to be a sliding scale for how much shallowness you want. I have seen this fighter who seemed to have a more medium shawllowness and it looked the best. Had the angularity to see the hollow cheek and most lighting but also too shallow of a cheek can make the midface appear fatter as you can seen in the first model where the second looks leaner simply because less bone.

A: The canine fossa, like any area of the midface, can be augmented with an implant. It is a relatively small concave indentation lateral to the paranasal/pyriform aperture. It can be augmented with an implant and whether that would be of a modified standard implant or requires a custom implant design depends on how much surface area coverage is needed beyond of the canine fossa itself.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon