How Can My Cheek Hollowness Be Fixed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My cheekbone injury is over 8 years old. I know doctors are leary of healed/mended cheekbones. Should have initially went to hospital but because of lack of insurance and being raised to believe a black eye is just that. I was even getting carded at 30, took only about 8months before that ended. So now I am 38 and skin is creased/hollowed only on that side. I went to a plastic surgeon but they don’t know what I am talking about. 

A: Many untreated depressed zygomatic (cheekbone) fractures will eventually show a malar or cheek flattening once all the swelling has subsided and the tissues are retracted. For many only the cheek is flatter but in more severe cases the shape of the eye may have changed and the corner of the eye tilted slightly downward. Yours sound like it has malar involvement only. A small cheek implant can usually make a significant improvement. Placed through the mouth on just one side, this can provide a simple and immediate fix to your cheek flatness/hollowness.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana