What Effect Does A Premaxillary Implant Have on The Upper Lip?

Q: I went in for a rhinoplasty consultation and, during the course of discussion, the plastic surgeon brought up the idea of combining it with a premaxillary implant. I had never heard of that type of facial implant before. I can understand that it pushes out the base of the nose but I am concerned as to what it may due to my upper lip. Does a premaxillary implant change the appearance of the upper lip in any way?

A: The premaxillary implant is one of the uncommonly used of all the facial implants. The benefit of its use comes when one’s facial profile or midface is a little recessed or retruded. With this facial skeletal pattern, the nasolabial angle is usually too acute (less than 90 degrees) and contributes to a hanging or downturned nasal tip appearance. Bringing out the nasal base can be aesthetically helpful in midfacial hypoplasia whether one is having a rhinoplasty or not. The premaxillary implant builds out the paranasal and the anterior nasal spine area using an implant which spans across the entire lower pyriform aperture region. (nasal base) This will usually result in a very mild vertical lip lengthening although that will not occur in everyone based on their anatomy. At the least, it will cause the upper part of the lip to be more full/protrusive. This will also change the nasolabial angle, the angle between the columella of the nose and the upper lip, which is the primary objective of this type of facial implant.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana