Facial implants in New Jersey are solid, biocompatible devices placed over the facial bones to add permanent structure to the cheeks, chin, or jawline. This page covers midface and cheek augmentation. If you’re concerned about a weak or receding chin, see our dedicated page on chin implants in NJ.
Cheek implants may be a good option for patients seeking long-term augmentation rather than temporary fillers. They restore midface volume, improve definition, and support sagging tissues over the cheek area. They are often considered when facial fat loss, bone changes, or midface flattening create a tired, hollow, or gaunt appearance.
Dr. Joel Kopelman evaluates cheek structure, lower eyelid support, facial balance, and treatment goals before recommending whether implants or injectable fillers are the better option. Surgery runs $6,500 to $8,500, including anesthesia, and most patients return to normal activity within one to two weeks.
Our cheekbones give us the “blush” of youth.
As we age, though, it is natural for us to lose volume in our cheeks. This lost volume results from atrophy of the skin and fat, with a downward descent of the facial fat pads. We may also lose bone and muscle, which contributes to this volume loss.
In young patients with mild degrees of mid-facial atrophy, a deep injection of a hyaluronic gel like Juvederm Voluma, Restylane Lyft, or a polylactic acid solution called Sculptra can temporarily restore facial soft tissue volume. However, if you want a longer-term solution for correcting midface flattening, implants are a great option. They are usually made of flexible silicone or other synthetic material.
Facial implants are not a single procedure. The device, incision, and recovery differ depending on which part of the facial skeleton is being augmented. Dr. Kopelman photographs and measures the face to select the size and shape that balances your profile and frontal dimensions.
| Implant Type | Area Corrected | Typical Incision | Common Concern Addressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheek (malar) | Midface, over the cheekbone | Inside the mouth | Flattening, hollowing, loss of midface volume |
| Chin (mentoplasty) | Front of the lower jaw | Inside the mouth or under the chin | Weak or receding chin, unbalanced profile |
| Jaw | Along the jawline and angle | Inside the mouth | Narrow or poorly defined jawline |
Some patients benefit from combining two implant types, most often cheek and chin, to correct proportion across the whole face rather than one isolated zone. We assess this during your consultation, not in advance.
These cheek implant before and after pictures represent actual patients from Dr. Kopelman. They will help you to set realistic goals for your own surgical outcome.
To achieve the best results from cheek augmentation in New Jersey, Dr. Kopelman will thoroughly review your facial skin, soft tissues, and skeletal structure, and discuss your desires and expectations. Implants vary in size and shape, and Dr. Kopelman selects the specific device based on your unique facial features.
Finding the right fit is critical to achieving great results. An implant that is too large reads as artificial; one that is too small fails to correct the underlying flatness. Sizing is judged against your existing bone projection, soft tissue thickness, and lower eyelid position.
Patients who smoke are asked to stop well in advance of surgery, since smoking meaningfully impairs healing at the incision site.
Fillers make sense for mild atrophy, for patients who want to preview a change before committing, or for anyone unwilling to have surgery. Implants make sense for moderate to severe flattening, for patients tired of maintenance appointments, and for structural deficits that soft tissue volume cannot correct.
Cost is part of this decision. A one-time surgical fee compares differently against filler treatment that is repeated on an ongoing basis, and that arithmetic is worth working through during consultation. See our facial fillers page for details on injectable options.
| Factor | Cheek Implants | Injectable Fillers |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Permanent | Temporary, repeated over time |
| Best suited to | Moderate to severe midface flattening | Mild volume loss; previewing a change |
| Anesthesia | Surgical anesthesia by an anesthesiologist | Topical or local numbing |
| Downtime | Roughly one week of visible swelling | Little to none |
| Reversibility | Implant can be removed or exchanged | Resolves on its own; some types dissolvable |
| Ongoing treatment | Not required | Required to maintain the result |
Dr. Kopelman makes a small, concealed incision inside your mouth, which allows him to slip the implant into position on the cheekbone. The implant conforms to the underlying bone so it fits naturally. The mouth incision is sutured closed with absorbable suture.
Placing the incision inside the mouth means there is no visible external scar on the face. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, intraoral placement is the most common approach for this procedure, though alternate incisions inside the lower eyelid or within the hairline may be used when augmentation is combined with other surgery. ASPS
You will take oral antibiotics and use mouthwash for five days. The face will remain swollen for approximately one week.
Recovery from midface augmentation is straightforward for most patients, but the swelling resolves in stages rather than all at once. Sleeping with your head elevated for the first several nights and applying cold compresses reduces early swelling.
| Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 5 | Peak swelling; oral antibiotics and mouthwash; soft diet; head elevated when sleeping |
| Days 7 to 10 | Mouth incision fully healed; most patients return to desk work |
| Week 3 | Residual swelling largely resolved in most cases |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Strenuous activity and exercise typically resumed |
| Up to 3 months | Temporary cheek numbness may persist and then resolves |
Eat soft foods while the intraoral incision heals. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting during the first week, and rinse as directed rather than brushing directly over the suture line.
As with any surgical procedure, cheek augmentation carries risks that you should discuss openly before you decide. Swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness are expected, not complications, and they resolve on their own.
Risks specific to implant surgery include asymmetry, implant shifting or malposition, infection at the implant site, and prolonged numbness if a sensory nerve is disturbed. Infection is uncommon but, if it occurs, may require implant removal.
Results are long-lasting, though the American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that no surgical outcome is guaranteed and that a second procedure is occasionally needed to achieve an optimal result.
Dr. Kopelman reviews each of these with you directly during consultation, along with how they apply to your specific anatomy and health history.
| Treatment | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheek implants | $6,500 to $8,500 | Includes anesthesia performed by an anesthesiologist |
| Chin implants | Quoted at consultation | Priced separately; may be combined with midface augmentation |
| Juvéderm Voluma | $1,800 | Cheek and mid-face contouring; priced per session, not per unit |
| Restylane | $2,500 | Used for lips, cheeks, or under-eye depending on the type |
| Sculptra | $2,500 per vial | Collagen-stimulating; typically requires multiple sessions |
Pricing is current as published and confirmed at consultation.
Surgical pricing reflects the implant, the surgical fee, and anesthesia administered by an anesthesiologist. Cost may vary if you schedule augmentation alongside another procedure, since operating time and anesthesia are shared.
Patients searching for cheek augmentation near me are usually weighing convenience against qualifications. Convenience matters, but the more useful filter is whether the surgeon operates on the face routinely rather than occasionally, and whether they understand how the midface relates to the lower eyelid above it.
Dr. Joel E. Kopelman, MD, FACS, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and practices as both a facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeon. That dual focus matters here, because midface volume and lower eyelid position are anatomically linked and are frequently assessed together.
The practice maintains affiliations with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Questions worth asking any surgeon you consult: how many facial implant procedures they perform, whether they will show you results on patients with anatomy similar to yours, and what their approach is if the result needs revision.
Cheek augmentation runs $6,500 to $8,500. This includes the anesthesia an anesthesiologist must perform.
You will heal quickly after your cheek augmentation procedure. The mouth incision will be completely healed within 7 to 10 days. In most cases, residual swelling may last up to three weeks. Temporary cheek numbness may last up to three months in most cases.
Yes. The implant does not dissolve or require scheduled replacement. It stays in position over the cheekbone indefinitely unless there is a reason to remove or revise it.
No. The incision is made inside the mouth, so there is no external scar on the face.
Discomfort is managed with medication and is generally described as mild. Most patients report pressure and tightness more than pain during the first few days.
Yes. Because the implant is a solid device sitting on bone rather than integrated into tissue, you can remove or exchange it for a different size if your goals change or the result needs adjustment.
Yes. Midface augmentation is commonly scheduled alongside eyelid surgery, a facelift, or chin augmentation when the treatment plan calls for correcting proportion across multiple areas.
Only partially. Implants restore projection and support the tissues above them, but they do not remove excess skin. Patients with significant laxity are usually better served by a lifting procedure, either alone or in combination.
Most swelling resolves within three weeks, and the settled result is typically visible by the three-month mark.
Dr. Joel E. Kopelman is both a facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeon with over 35 years of experience in cosmetic rejuvenation of the face, neck, and eyes. Renowned for his innovative techniques and meticulous approach, Dr. Kopelman has built a reputation as a trusted expert among patients seeking transformative results that are both beautiful and natural.
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kopelman, please call the office or request an appointment online.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
