Could An Infected Buccal Fat Pad Removal Cause An Infection Of A Chin Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley, One month ago I had a chin implant (submental approach) and I’m thinking of having a buccal fat pad removal procedure done. Is there any risk an infection related to the fat pad removal procedure could infect the chin implant? Basically, could an infection from the buccal fat pad removal spread to the chin implant, resulting in me having to remove the implant?

A: Thank you for your inquiry. I see no association between a buccal fat pad space infection (should that occur…but have never seen it yet) and infecting an indwelling chin implant. The buccal fat space is in a completely different anatomic tissue plane than a chin implant. Thus an infection of one can not infect the other.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana