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Are you looking for a masculine jaw line like Brad Pitt or Robert Redford? If so, the Mandibular Matrix Implant System an ideal cosmetic procedure for you. The insertion of the Mandibular Matrix Implant System creates a stronger jaw line by augmenting whole mandible. The mandible is the bony framework of the lower face and to a great extent; it exerts significant influence on the beauty of the neck. Deficiencies in jaw volume and shape can negatively affect the aesthetics of the lower face and neck. To correct an inadequate jawline contour, an implant system and corresponding surgical technique was created by our colleague and fellow plastic surgeon, Dr. Oscar Ramirez.

The size and shape of your facial skeleton affects the way the soft tissues of your face are molded. The relationship between the bony framework of the face and its soft tissue “envelope” determines if a face is unattractive or beautiful. Between the two of them (skeletal framework and soft tissue), the skeletal framework seems the most important to define facial beauty. In truth, facial beauty is “bone deep” rather than “skin deep”! This is a common observation among artists, plastic surgeons and photographers. If you observe any glamour magazine, the most beautiful people, regardless of age and sex, are those who have strong orbital rims (the bones that frame the eyes), nice cheek bones and a strong mandible and chin. Facial aging is also affected by the strength of the facial skeletal support. In other words, people with stronger skeletal foundations seem to age both more graciously and later in life. For those who do not have good support, all the soft tissues sag more quickly and more severely. This is particularly true for the mandible.

With the available technology and the new surgical techniques, the facial skeleton framework can be enhanced to beautify the face and slow down the facial aging appearance. In that respect, Dr. Ramirez has been actively involved in research and development of both: facial implants and surgical techniques to offer our patients the most advanced procedures and the most sophisticated implants for facial beautification and rejuvenation. In conjunction with one of the leading manufacturers on implant technology (www.porex.com) he has designed close to a dozen different facial implants to enhance almost any part of the face. Among them is the “Mandibular Matrix Implant System”.

The Mandibular Matrix System is composed of an articulated wraparound geniomandibular chin implant and a wraparound gonial angle implant.

Good Candidates

Mandibular Matrix Implant surgery can be performed on any healthy adult with concerns about a weak jaw or aging of the jaw line. Your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of the Mandibular Matrix Implant System surgery at your consultation to confirm that this particular implant is the best course of action for your needs.

How the Procedure is Performed

Mandibular Matrix Implant procedures are performed under general anesthesia in our Boca Raton accredited in-office surgery suite on an outpatient basis. If performed during another facial cosmetic procedure, such as a face lift, it will be performed before the remaining procedures. During the procedure, an incision is placed underneath the chin (to hide the subsequent small scar) and the Mandibular Matrix Implant System is then inserted with the use of endoscopes. Once inserted, the implant is stabilized with sutures and screws. The procedure takes about 1 hour if no other procedure is being performed.

What to Expect During Recovery

After a Mandibular Matrix Implant procedure, you will be bandaged with a helmet type dressing for the first few days. You will have some drains in place, which are removed approximately 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. These are attached to vacuum tubes and will be changed periodically during those two days to minimize the collection of fluid in the area. You will want to eat only soft foods such as scrambled eggs, applesauce and the like during the first few days of recovery, as your jaw will be sore. We will give you pain medication and recommend that you also apply ice packs for discomfort and to minimize swelling and bruising. You will be given antibiotics to begin the day before surgery, which are continued until the 4th or 5th day postop.

When you leave our office after the procedure, your follow-up appointment will be set to return in 2-3 days at which time the drains will most likely be removed and the helmet dressing exchanged for a chin strap, which you will wear 24 hours a day until instructed to remove it. The sutures under the chin are removed in 4-5 days.

Most of our patients are back to their regular routines in about a week following this procedure. You should avoid strenuous physical activity for about a month and avoid any contact sports or other activities that might cause trauma to the implant.