Facial reconstruction is sought by people for corrective and aesthetic reasons. However, the term ‘facial reconstruction’ usually refers to reconstructive surgery undertaken for treating facial deformities, injuries or abnormalities caused due to genetic reasons, infectious diseases or invasive treatments like cancer-related radiotherapy. Some alternative treatments to facial reconstruction have been listed below.


Facial Implants

Facial implant surgery refers to the surgical insertion of implants made from synthetic materials like silicone in various parts of the face. Just like facial reconstruction, implants can be sought for both, aesthetic and curative purposes. Facial implants are surgically inserted by certified plastic surgeons, usually under local anesthesia. The recovery period for implants is shorter than for reconstructive surgery. The most common types of facial implants sought include:

  • Chin Implants
  • Cheek implants
  • Jaw line implants

The most visible differences are in:

  • Corrective Application - This is best exemplified by chin reconstruction surgery that is used to recreate a part of the chin, severely damaged in an accident. However, a facial implant in the form of chin implant can be sought for improving the dynamics of the chin only but not for replacing missing parts from the original chin. A chin implant can only help to improve the overall contouring of the chin and its curvature with respect to the jaw line and the lower lip.
  • Cosmetic Application - This is best exemplified by nasal reconstructive surgeries sought be people looking to change the appearance of their nose. This might include reducing or expanding the nasolabial folds along with altering the shape of the nostrils. However, nasal implants can only work towards improving the contours of the nose and not the overall appearance of the nasal features.
  • Difference in Reversibility of Procedure - Facial reconstruction is a more permanent and irreversible process. Once the healing process is completed, the newly-constructed facial features are similar to the untreated parts of the face. Even the use of synthetic, skin flaps or membranes used during this surgery are used with a view to make these additions permanent.

Reversing a facial reconstruction essentially means seeking a new surgery, i.e. the history of having a facial reconstruction doesn’t ease the process. However, facial implants are somewhat reversible. The implants used in this surgery are inserted and can be removed as per the patient’s preference.


Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are vastly different from facial reconstruction surgeries. Dermal fillers are essentially substances that are inserted under the human skin. Dermal fillers retain their shape for years, helping to augment and contour facial features. The most common dermal fillers include Artefill that uses bovine collagen as the dermal filler, and Radiesse that uses calcium hydroxyapatite as the filler.

Dermal fillers can be used as an alternative for facial reconstruction when:

  • Facial features need minimal contouring and more of superficial improvement in the form of augmentation. Examples include lip augmentation.
  • Patient is seeking an undemanding, quick cosmetic treatment and not an invasive/surgical treatment like facial reconstruction.

Dermal fillers differ from facial reconstruction in that:

  • Dermal filler is largely a cosmetic/augmentation treatment that is seldom sought for therapeutic purposes. It main application is to decrease signs of aging. Facial reconstruction often includes procedures besides augmentation and is largely a corrective/therapeutic procedure.
  • Results of dermal fillers are quite durable, but not as long-lasting as facial reconstruction that can last up to a lifetime.
  • Dermal filler treatment is much cheaper than facial reconstruction. It is usually done as a part of outpatient treatment, whereas facial reconstruction surgery is a conventional surgical process in terms of being highly invasive and it needs a longer recovery period.