What Is The Revision Rate For Custom Facial Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, custom jaw implants – how does you go about making them? Is 3D imaging provided at your facility or you refer patients to a local imaging facility?  If so, can imaging be provided the same day as consultation or I have to prolong my stay for a few days?  What is success rate of these procedures in terms of surgery and post-surgery complications?

A: In answer to your custom facial implant questions:

1) The patient gets their 3D scan at a local facility, we provide the order for it.

2) Designing custom facial implants is a process that involves imaging goal setting using the patient pictures and online engineering with 3D Systems company.

3) Facial image goal setting can be established once patient pictures are obtained, whether that is done before a virtual or office consultation or after.

4) While custom facial implants have a high success rate, as they achieve facial changes that are not possible by any other method, it does involve an implant which has its own unique risks of potential revisional surgery. In custom facial implants my experience has been that up to 1/3 of the patients will undergo some form of revisional surgery, almost always for aesthetic reasons.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon