Do PEEK Facial Implants Have A Lower Risk Of Infection Than Medpor?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi, I am a 44 year old male who eight years ago I had Medpor Chin, Jaw and Cheek implants and Rhinoplasty. I was extremely pleased with the result. But I had an infection two years ago and the jaw and chin implants had to be removed. I now wish to re-implant the jaw and chin. My research tells me PEEK may be superior to Medpor as I don’t want to have a repeat of an infection and removal.

A: PEEK is a fine facial implant material with its own advantages and disadvantages.  Whether PEEK is superior to Medpor in terms of a lower risk of infection has never been scientifically validated.But in theory being non-porous it may be. But an implant is an implant is an implant no matter what the material is so the risk of infection can never be completely eliminated.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon