Temporal implants have become an effective surgical option to injectable filler and fat for aesthetic temporal hollowing. Placed in a subfascial location over the temporalis muscle through an incision behind the temporal hairline, they provide permanent temporal muscle augmentation. These now standard implants have their primary effects at the lower end of the temporal zone above the zygomatic arch, the deepest part of the concavity of temporal hollowing.
But some patients may want other areas of the temporal region augmented. They may be satisfied with the lower half of the anterior temporal zone but feel the upper half near the forehead to be deficient. They may want to create forehead widening by augmenting the upper temporal zone up against the anterior temporal bony line. as the side of the forehead.
No such high forehead widening temporal implant exists in a standard performed shape. I have had them custom made for various patients based on their 3D CT scan. The implants are designed to sit up high on the most superior end of the temporal muscle, up against the fascial attachment to the anterior temporal line. It extends down to the brow at the junction of the lateral orbital rim. They are placed through the same temporal hairline incision that standard temporal implants are placed.
The forehead widening temporal implant has a different shape than that of the standard temporal implant. It is tapered around all of its edges but has a platform or implant thickness that extends the location of the temporal line. By adding 5 to 6mms of thickness per side the forehead is widened by a centimeter or more. The patient who seeks this implant is not concerned about classic temporal hollowing, their objective is forehead widening and they are more frequently men than women who seek it.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana