Sili-Tex (Chimera) Monoblock Implant

Chimera implants (Sili-Tex) come in a one-piece U-shape or oval model, are composed of ePTFE composite materials at the surface, and are biocompatible permanent chin implants similar to Medpor. The inner layer is mainly composed of hard silicone, and the outer layer is composed of Gore-Tex as the medium of contact and attachment to human tissues. Therefore, it firmly adheres to the skeleton and is less likely to dislocate. Nevertheless, as its surface is relatively smooth and soft and less resistant to foreign force collision than Medpor, it is usually considered as an alternative implant or a replacement for traditional silicone implants. Due to its relatively small size, the one-piece U-shape design is unable to enclose both sides of the chin like the Medpor two-piece implant. Moreover, despite the advantages in the ease of sculpting an exquisite and a sharp V-shaped chin and simple emplacement and low costs, Chimera implants cannot provide good support and elongation for an excessively retracted jaw bone or results are not as natural as those obtained using Medpor; therefore, it is less suitable for patients with poor congenital chin conditions.Generally speaking, Chimera implants can satisfy the common requirements of a majority of patients, and the materials ensure surgical safety and result stability.

The emplacement of Sili-Tex implants is similar to that of Medpor, but its incision can be reduced to within 1.5 cm. Through the incision at the lower gum, the periosteum is detached from the skin, and the appropriate Sili-Tex implant is emplaced and naturally fixated to the bone. However, for some patients with loose skin or an uneven jawbone, Dr. Chuang additionally fixates the implant with bone screws to ensure stable and prolonged surgical results.

Surgical conditions

Duration

0min
  • Type of anesthesia: IV sedation + local anesthesia
  • Type of incision: A 1.5-cm incision at the intraoral lower gum
  • Recovery: 5–7 days
  • Removal of stitches: No

General instructions

No food and water on the day of surgery

0hr
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol, and irritating foods for 1 month postoperatively, and avoid strenuous or excessive activities.
  • Avoid singing or laughing and other overt mouth opening behaviors for 2 months postoperatively.
  • Avoid heavy collision to or squeezing of the face for 3 months postoperatively.
  • Avoid cupping the chin and other prosthesis compression behaviors after the operation to prevent dislocation.

Ideal candidates

  • Patients with moderate chin retraction or shortness
  • Those with a broad but retracted jawbone
  • Those who prefer a V-shaped chin
  • Those who worry about the dislocation of silicone implants
  • Those who are unwilling to accept bone screw fixation for Medpor

Possible complications

  • Poor wound healing
  • Prosthesis reaction
  • Infection
  • Prosthesis dislocation

Surgical advantages

  1. The materials are highly compatible with the human body, so the risks of prosthetic tissue reaction or infection are low.

  2. The materials are soft and can be easily sculpted into a delicate and sharp V-shaped chin.

  3. It does not thicken the lines at both sides of the chin.

  4. Surgery is simple and does not require bone screw fixation.

  5. The implants can be easily removed in the future to restore the original conditions.

Surgical drawbacks

  1. Limited by the one-piece U-shape design and size, it cannot fully enclose the depression at both sides of the chin.

  2. The implants are relatively soft and less resistant to outer force impacts than Medpor.

  3. It can only sculpt the chin shape but ineffectively elongates the face.

  4. Optional models are relatively few, and the customization degree is lower than that of Medpor.

  5. There may be risks of dislocation in the future

Possible procedures in conjunction

Before & After

These photographs represent typical results, but not everyone who undergoes plastic surgery will achieve the same.

Sili-Tex (Chimera) Monoblock Implant – Female

Sili-Tex (Chimera) Monoblock Implant – Male