Alloplastic materials for facial skeletal augmentation

Facial skeletal augmentation continues to be an important clinical area for surgeons performing cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery. This article reviews the current state of the art approaches utilizing alloplastic materials. Surgical goals, biomaterials, operative techniques, and complication management are discussed. Any discussion of alloplastic materials ultimately relates tissue effects to long-term clinical results. It may take a full generation (20 years) to appreciate fully most if not all possible tissue effects of an alloplastic material; however, biomaterial science has developed fundamental principles that should aide the surgeon in choosing the most appropriate alloplast for skeletal augmentation for various patient groups.