What Materials Are Available for Custom Facial Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, What materials do you use for custom facial implants? Some surgeons I’ve spoken to use mirror polished titanium, some use PCL? Thank you.

A: There are four materials available for custom facial implants, solid silicone, PEEK, porous polyethylene and titanium, which all differ in cost.  But it is also relevant that they do not perform equally as each material has its implant design limitations….which most surgeons do not consider due to lack of experience with all implant materials. You don’t want the material to control the design, how it is able to be placed or how effectively it blends into the surroinding bone.

For the infraorbital-malar area solid silicone is ideal most ideal as the need to saddle the rim is almost always needed and the thin eyelid tissues require feathered edging to avoid palpable and/or visible implant show. PEEK can also be used but hard to get feathered edging in a machined implant.  Porous poluyethene and titanium have too many disadvantages to use in this facial area.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon