How Are The Cost Differences Between Different Forehead Augmentation Methods?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ve been perusing through your blog and I’m curious about forehead augmentation. I would like a more masculine brow bone and forehead. I feel like mine is flat. I’ve attached a profile view. Do you think it would be beneficial to my appearance. What I don’t like is my forehead starts to slope back starting from the brows. I would like it to be more square as if a stick was held against the forehead, more of the forehead would touch the stick instead of only the brow bone. From what I gather, the most economical option is using PMMA bone cement, correct?

A:  Forehead augmentation can be done by using either intraoperatively applied PMMA bone cement or a custom forehead implant. The cost differences between PMMA and a custom implant are not really that different. While PMMA bone cement cost less (the material) than a custom implant, most of that material cost savings is offset by the increased time too place and shape the material. A custom implant costs more than the PMMA material to fabricate but is done in half the operative time, with smaller incision and a lower risk of potential revision due to shape. In the end, both forehead augmentation techniques cost about the same.

In the past, PMMA bone cement was the only forehead augmentation option available. But computer design technology is now making custom implant designs not only possible but affordable.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana