Temporal augmentation has been a popular cosmetic procedure due to the use of synthetic injectable fillers and fat grafting. Such injection techniques make it easy to treat undesired temporal hollowing of varying degrees. By none of the injection materials are perfect and most will eventually dissolve and their benefits lost with the exception of fat. Fat grafting can be a permanent method of temporal augmentation but such an outcome is far from assured.
A synthetic temporal implant is a new type of facial implant designed to augment the temporalis muscle and treat temporal hollowing. It is a very soft implant that is inserted through a small scalp incision in the temporal hairline and placed under the temporalis fascia between the temporal hairline and the lateral orbital rim. It is a very effective procedure that has a minimal recovery and provides permanent temporal augmentation.
As temporal augmentation as progressed it has become apparent that temporal augmentation is not as simple as just augmenting the temporal hollowing just above the zygomatic arch. (Zone 1 anterior temporal region) While the deepest part of a temporal hollowing (concavity) is at its lowest end, some patients desire temporal augmentation all the way up to the temporal line at the side of the forehead. This high temporal area (Zone 2 anterior temporal region) is not covered by the first generation standard temporal implant.
An extended temporal implant has been developed to address both Zone 1 and Zone 2 anterior temporal zone deficiencies. It has been designed to augment from the zygomatic arch all the way up to the side of the forehead. (temporal line) It is fairly thin (3.5mms) at its greatest thickness but does not need to be very thick when augmenting a long vertical area.
The extended temporal implant is placed through the same vertical temporal scalp incision as the standard temporal implant. It is also placed below the fascia on top of the temporalis musle. Its superior edges are very thin to prevent any visible ridging in the thin upper temporal tissues.
The extended temporal implant provides another facial augmentation option for more severe and extensive temporal hollowing defects. Its effectiveness and simplicity makes it an attractive alternative to injectable fillers and fat.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana