What Is The Difference Between Malar And Submalar Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I recently read your blog about malar and submalar implants. I just have one question since there doesn’t seem to be much information on these implants, but where exactly are the malar and submalar regions?

If I’m looking at implants to provide a swoop from the nose to the cheeks (sorry, not sure how to describe it, but think of Bradley Cooper’s midface), which implant would actually provide that kind of volumetric augmentation?

A: The difference between malar and submalar implants is subtle but very different. As shown in the attached drawings on a person’s face, the malar region is the cheek bone itself while the submalar region is actually below that off of the bone.

There is no preformed or standard shaped implant that provides fullness (a swope) from the nose to the cheek because directly in its path is the large infraorbital nerve. An implant can be fashioned with notching of the nerve to avoid compression (maxillomalar implant) of the nerve using either a 3D model of the patient or pre making it off of a basic skull shape.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana