Temporal implants have become the surgical approach to the treatment of temporal hollowing. They offer a rapidly performed permanent solution that eclipses the temporary and inconsistent effects of synthetic fillers and fat injections. These implants are placed in the subfascial location on top of the temporalis muscle through a small vertical or obliquely oriented incision back in the temporal hairline.
As the use of temporal implants has increased, new styles have emerged. The initial temporal implant design was designed to treat the deepest part of the temporal hollows by the side of the eye. These implants only went up about as high as the lateral brow bone.
But as more experience with temporal implants has evolved, it become clear that the extent of bothersome temporal hollowing can extend all the way up to the side of the forehead. (anterior temporal line) This has led to an extended style of temporal implants that provides some augmentation much higher than the standard style. (up to 6.5 cm vertical height from the zygomatic arch)
With such a larger temporal implant, the concern would be that a much larger incision would be needed for its placement. To avoid more than a 3 cm to 3.5 cm incision, the key is to make the subfascial pocket through a small incision. This is easy to do with instruments in a blind fashion. Then the implant can be inserted lengthwise in a rolled fashion. Once making its way through the small incision, the implant is unfurled and rotated into the proper position.
Larger styles of temporal implants can still be inserted through relatively small temporal hairline incisions. This makes the appeal of temporal implants for larger areas of temporal hollowing equally appealing as smaller amounts of temporal hollowing.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana