Facial Implants for Large Furrows and Folds
These implants are usually made from expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene, or ePTFE.  They offer a firmer feel, although this is a semi-permanent solution in the sense they are permanent until taken out.  Fully reversible. It must be said that these implants have a higher extrusion rate than other forms but when performed by the right surgeon with the right after care and environment can offer many years of enjoyment and augmentation. In other words they will last longer than you.  Good thing about these implants is that they can be layered over by other augmentation forms such as Fat or AlloDerm, etc. -- without incident.  Lip implants offer a more defined border, but less poofiness than an injectable.  They also may take some getting used to.
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Advanta Facial Implant:  (technically: dual-porosity expanded polytetraflouroethylene {ePTFE})  This is a newer, dual-porosity expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) implant design consisting of a soft, high porosity center integrated with a smooth, medium porosity outer surface layer.  Because of the softness and tissue integration of the Advanta implant, many surgeons consider this to be a better alternative to the other ePTFE implants, resulting in a softer, more biocompatible soft tissue augmentation device.  The implant is not tubular, but it has a softer cores and is surrounded by a slightly less soft jacket. The implant's dual-porosity structure readily accepts your collagen structure resulting in a more natural tissue healing response.  Advanta facial implants are available in a wide range of sizes.  Advanta implants have an excellent record of clinical performance with high patient satisfaction and a low incidence of complications.
Allergy Test: n/a

Longevity: permanent, yet reversible
Cost: $1,000. - $2,000 per area
Website: http://www.atriummed.com/facialimplantsframe.htm 

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Gore-Tex: (technically: expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)) This product is officially called GORE S.A.M. (GORE Subcutaneous Augmentation Material) and is made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), this soft tissue augmentation implant is manufactured by Gore Advanced Technologies Worldwide.  The implant used is a white, microporous implant made from the same type of material as Gore-Tex boots and raincoats, but of course a sterile medical grade.  ePTFE is a non-reactive, non-toxic polymer that has been used in medical implants throughout the body without ill-effects for many, many years.  There are approximately 4 million ePTFE implants, in all forms, being used to date.  The Gore-Tex implant has pores 10 to 30 microns in diameter therefore allowing the body's tissue to attach itself to the implant.  It is extremely strong and is not likely to tear or disintegrate.
Allergy test:
n/a
Longevity: Permanent, yet reversible (also known as semi-permanent)
Cost:  $1,200. - $2,000. per area (averaging $1,000.) US.  But, it may vary from state to state, region to region.  Some less, some more.
Cautions: Can be quite palpable (visible and felt) when not placed correctly.
Extra: View GORE S.A.M. Product Sheet
Website: http://www.goremedical.com/ 

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Gore-Tex Strands & Multi-Strands: (technically: GORE S.A.M. (GORE Subcutaneous Augmentation Material) Also manufactured by Gore Advanced Technologies Worldwide and made from expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene (ePTFE), this implant may come in individual single threads the size of thin pencil lead, like what is found in a mechanical pencil, yet appearing similar to the elastic found in your waistband.   The Multi-Strand variety is an implant made of several of these strands but solid and banded together on the ends.  Picture a bundle of small rubberbands melted together on each end.  This design makes tissue incorporation more feasible, yet, this could be its drawback.  

The good thing is this design allows more mobility due to the flexible structure of the strands.   Although there is a learning curve to either technique, as mentioned before, the ends may be trimmed in a rounded fashion or increased rejection from inflammation and palpability are possible.  However it's structure may be its downfall resulting in too much collagen formation or difficulty in removal.
Allergy test: n/a

Longevity: Permanent, yet reversible (also known as semi-permanent)
Cost:  $1,200. - $2,000. per area (averaging $1,000.) US.  But, it may vary from state to state, region to region.  Some less, some more.
Cautions: Can be quite palpable (visible and felt) when not placed correctly.
Extra: View GORE S.A.M. Product Sheet
Website: http://www.goremedical.com/ 

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SoftForm: (technically: expanded polytetraflouroethylene {ePTFE}) SoftForm was made commercially available in 1997 by Tissue Technologies, Inc. in San Francisco, California.  The implant is a white, microporous tubular implant made from the same type of material used to repair hernias, abdominal wall repairs and utilized in repairing cardiovascular defectsePTFE is a non-reactive, non-toxic polymer that has been used in medical implants throughout the body without ill-effects for many, many years.  The implant has a hollow core for tissue ingrowth which helps anchor the implant to keep it from migrating and decreases the chances of rejection by the body.
Allergy Test: n/a
Longevity: permanent, yet reversible.
Cost: $1,000. -  $2000. per area (averaging $1,000. per area)
Cautions: Can be quite palpable (visible and felt) when not placed correctly.
Implant Photo: View a UltraSoft & SoftForm comparison photo now
Website: http://www.tissuetechnologies.com/ 

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UltraSoft: (technically: tubular expanded polytetraflouroethylene {ePTFE}) Also manufactured by Tissue Technologies, Inc. in San Francisco, California, the UltraSoft implant is a new and improved implant which is softer than their SoftForm implant.  The company reports that UltraSoft is almost 3 times softer than SoftForm.  These implants were made available July 2001 and have a few slight differences as all next generation products do, practice makes perfect!  It has been described as feeling like a "marshmallow" by some patients.  The wall of the implant is thinner and reportedly softer than both SoftForm and Gore-Tex.  However it is still an implant and will not feel like your own tissue, but it is very close.
Allergy Test: n/a
Longevity: permanent, yet reversible
Cost: $1,000. -  $2000. per area (averaging $1,200.)
Cautions: Can be palpable (visible and felt) when not placed correctly. 
Implant Photo: View a UltraSoft & SoftForm comparison photo now
Website: http://www.tissuetechnologies.com/ 

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Additional Information

    

References:
APHA Standard Methods, 19th ed., p. 4-118, method 4500-Si D (1995).
ASTM D 859-94, Silica in Water.
EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, method 370.1 (1983).

 


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