Paranasal Augmentation

Have you ever looked into the mirror and thought of changing the appearance of the lower part of your face? This may be because of various underlying reasons, and making adjustments to that particular region could help. Besides, as you age, the volume, elasticity, and collagen of the face begin to change gradually.

These are the essential components that nourish the skin. Furthermore, it gives the skin a youthful look characterized by fullness, glowing, and hydration. Therefore, the best way to ensure that your skin always remains in a good state is by opting for paranasal augmentation.

What is Paranasal Augmentation?

Paranasal augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to increase the volume of the central mid-face concavity. This refers to a hollow or flat looking mid-face, especially on both sides of the nose. Apart from adding more volume, this technique aims to adjust protruding mouth, making it appear less protrusive.

Paranasal augmentation also helps reduce and correct aging effects in older individuals. Furthermore, this procedure is suitable for patients who;

Have a protruding mouth
Have a sunken mid-face
Have a nasolabial fold or deep laughing line
Intend to have a good profile view
Wish to have a nice looking lip line
Intend to have or achieve an elegant, sophisticated appearance

Procedures of Paranasal Augmentation

Procedures of Paranasal Augmentation

To achieve fuller cheeks and a voluminous mid-face, medical practitioners often use several paranasal augmentation procedures. This, however, depends on the health of the patients and ultimate objectives or requirements.

The main procedures of paranasal augmentation include;

Autologous fat graft This is a surgical procedure designed for people who wish to add a small volume in order to fill the paranasal region. Specialists often perform this procedure under general anesthesia and usually last for 30 to 45 minutes.

It involves using a small, thin tube referred to as a cannula to extract fat tissues from the thighs, abdomen, or buttocks. These fat tissues are normally purified and rich in stem cells. The doctor will then inject them on the sunken facial region, giving the face a youthful and fuller appearance.

Autologous cartilage graft

Surgeons often perform autologous cartilage grafts under general anesthesia and can last for 45 minutes to one hour. It involves extracting cartilage using a transverse incision of medium length from the selected donor region. The most appropriate region can be the ears or the ribs.

Once the cartilage is extracted, it’s carved into the proper size and shape. The surgeon then creates an incision in the mouth and carefully inserts the cartilage into the sunken area within the nose. This is to make the mid-face appear bigger and more voluminous. Once the procedure is complete, the incision in the mouth is sutured using thread.

Implants

This procedure involves the use of mid-facial implants to increase fullness on the cheeks. The entire procedure usually takes 30 minutes to one hour and is normally done under general anesthesia.

The mid-facial implants can be placed through the incision made underneath the lower eyelid or inside the mouth. When the procedure is done accordingly, the cheek implants give the patient fuller looking cheeks or higher cheekbones. It’s also characterized by a shorter recovery period and less scarring after recovery.

What to Expect

Autologous fat graft and autologous cartilage graft involves a relatively short procedure. Besides, the patient is likely to go back home on that same day. These procedures are also characterized by fewer to no risks of infections and rejection. This is because the content used is normally harvested from the patient’s body.

Autologous fat graft and autologous cartilage graft are also associated with minimal complications that usually subside after 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure. However, during the healing process, it’s essential to maintain proper oral hygiene to prevent infections. You should also consume soft foods and drinks for at least a week after the procedure to avoid altering the incision area.

It’s also recommended to go for regular checkups until the stitches are finally removed, and you no longer experience swelling or pain in the mouth and around the nose.

However, you should note that the autologous fat graft procedure doesn’t come with permanent results since the fat cells gradually dissolve with time. Therefore, you might have to consider undergoing a similar procedure after six or nine months to help maintain the appearance you want.

On the other hand, you should expect numbness in the surgical site if you are undergoing an implant procedure. This technique also takes several months before you finally feel normal and achieve your desired look. While the infection is rare, you may be required to take antibiotics and pain medications for at least one week.

Also, there are limited chances that the body will reject the implant. However, if the doctor notices signs of rejection during the checkups, then surgery is necessary to extract the implant. This helps prevent more complications and damages to the organs.

While recovering, doctors advise that you avoid opening your mouth widely, especially if the stitches have not been pulled out. Also, ensure that you avoid the chance that might trigger trauma. This is because trauma can result in delayed healing and internal bleeding. It could also lead to implant displacement, or extrusion and surgery might be necessary to correct it.

Significance of Paranasal Augmentation

Significance of Paranasal Augmentation

The main benefits that people opting for paranasal augmentation can experience include the following;

Improved appearance

Usually, the first and the essential benefit of paranasal augmentation is improving and aligning your face according to your desires. When opting for this procedure, it’s realistic to assume that you are not contented with your looks, and you need to change it. Once the procedure is complete, your appearance changes permanently. This results in an enhanced version of you.

Psychological benefits

After a paranasal augmentation procedure, you are more likely to socialize and interact with anyone because of an enhanced state of mind that translates to how you feel about yourself. On the contrary, people who are not contented with their appearance often struggle with mental issues, including depression and anxiety.

Enhanced confidence

Adjusting or changing your original appearance according to your wishes automatically improves confidence and self-esteem. This also improves your overall social life and makes you feel good in every aspect of life.

Permanent outcome

Another benefit of opting for paranasal augmentation is that it comes with long-lasting or permanent results. Although this can vary depending on the type of the procedure, there are high chances that you will have a durable outcome.

Possible Risks of Paranasal Augmentation

The risks and complications of paranasal augmentation are minor and not common. But still, patients vary widely in terms of anatomy, for instance, the healing abilities, physical reactions, and the final results.

Therefore, the risks that you are likely to experience include;

Hematoma: This is a pocket of blood that is similar to a large and painful bruise. Although it’s not common, it can occur after the paranasal augmentation procedure. The treatment alternative for hematoma is an additional surgery to drain the blood especially if they accumulate in large amount or grows rapidly.

Excessive blood loss: Blood loss is bound to occur during the paranasal augmentation procedure. However, if the situation is not controlled, it could decrease blood pressure and potentially fatal outcomes. Blood loss can either occur during the surgery or internally after the procedure.

Seroma: This can result if the serum or sterile body fluid accumulates under the skin surface, causing swelling and pain. Seroma often arises after the surgery and could be infected if not drained regularly using a needle. Although this helps with the condition, there are increased chances of recurrence.

Infections: Infection is one of the common risks associated with paranasal augmentation. Even if postoperative care and measures are adhered to, it can still occur under certain circumstances. Skin infection cellulitis can also arise after the paranasal augmentation procedure. In other instances, infections are internal and chronic; hence they might require an intravenous antibiotic.

The dissatisfaction of the general outcome: While most people are contented with postoperative results, disappointment and dissatisfaction with the outcome is an actual possibility. At times, patients who undergo paranasal augmentation procedures may not be happy with the outcome.

Anesthesia reactions: Anesthesia refers to the medication the doctors use to prevent pain and make you unconscious. However, general anesthesia can sometimes result in complications such as stroke, lung infections, heart attacks, and sometimes death. Other common anesthesia risks that might arise include nausea and vomiting, shivering, confusion, or disoriented after waking up.

Nerve damage: This can sometimes occur during the paranasal augmentation procedure. Signs such as tingling and numbness could sometimes indicate nerve damage. Although it’s mostly a temporary condition, it can sometimes be permanent.

Bottom Line

Paranasal augmentation is a type of cosmetic surgery. It aims at improving the overall facial appearance of patients who are not satisfied with their original looks. This can be done by increasing the hollow or flat-looking mid-face volume or reducing the protruding mouth.

CloudHospital specializes in helping patients who wished to undergo a paranasal augmentation procedure. It can refer you to the best surgeons with years of experience in performing similar procedures. Furthermore, it helps you choose a suitable type of procedure that suits your overall needs and desires.