Table of contents

• Paranasal Implant at a Glance
• What Is a Paranasal Implant?
• Who Is a Good Candidate for a Paranasal Implant?
• How Is a Paranasal Implant Performed?
• Why Visit Korea for a Paranasal Implant?
• Key Information for International Patients
• Which Are the Best Clinics in Korea for Paranasal Implant?
• Paranasal Implant From Start to Finish
• Alternatives to a Paranasal Implant
• How Can I Prepare for a Paranasal Implant?
• Aftercare Advice

Considering treatment in Korea? Everything you need to know e.g. — how to avoid scams, visas, interpreters, recovery tips — in our Medical Tourism Master Guide. Plan with confidence in minutes, not weeks!

Last updated: September 2026

Paranasal Implant at a Glance

• What it does — A paranasal implant is a permanent alloplastic device placed over the upper-jaw bone beside the nostrils to add premaxillary support and projection; it is not a dental implant and does not enter the sinuses.
• Best candidates — Adults with completed facial growth, localized paranasal hollowing or a recessed nasal base, adequate bone and soft-tissue coverage, and realistic expectations may be candidates, including selected rhinoplasty patients.
• Recovery timeline — Swelling, bruising, tightness, and upper-lip or cheek numbness are most noticeable in the first 7 days; many people resume quiet activity in 7–14 days, settling takes about 1–2 months, and final contour assessment can take several months.
• Korea stay — For implant-only surgery, plan 10–14 days in Korea to complete preoperative assessment and a postoperative wound and implant-position check around days 7–10; fly only after the operating surgeon clears you.
• Long-term tradeoff — The implant is intended for lasting structural augmentation, but infection, movement, asymmetry, exposure, or dissatisfaction can require revision or removal; silicone is generally easier to remove than porous implants that allow tissue ingrowth.
• Important limitation — An implant can improve skeletal support at the nasal base but does not reliably treat folds caused by skin laxity, facial movement, or significant maxillary retrusion and bite problems, which may need lift, orthodontic, or jaw-surgery assessment.
• Korea-specific planning — Korea has extensive international aesthetic-care infrastructure, but no evidence shows it produces superior paranasal-implant outcomes; obtain the operative note, implant material, dimensions, lot number, fixation details, and imaging before leaving for continuity of care at home.

What Is a Paranasal Implant?

A paranasal implant is a device placed over the upper-jaw bone beside the nostrils to add structural projection at the nasal base. It addresses a recessed-looking nasal base or hollowing beside the nose and can improve facial balance in selected people. It is a surgical procedure, usually performed as an outpatient operation with sedation or general anesthesia.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Paranasal Implant?

• Localized paranasal deficiency — Good candidates have a recessed-looking nasal base, hollowing beside the nostrils, or limited premaxillary projection caused primarily by underlying skeletal support.
• Rhinoplasty balance — Selected rhinoplasty patients seeking support for an acute nasolabial angle, nasal projection, or the upper-lip/nasal-base relationship can be assessed for combined paranasal augmentation.
• Stable facial development — Candidates should have completed craniofacial growth and be medically suitable for elective surgery and the proposed sedation or general anesthesia.
• Realistic surgical goals — Candidates accept that an implant creates structural projection rather than treating every nasolabial fold, skin laxity, or expression-related line, and that asymmetry, revision, or removal remain possible.

Paranasal implantation should be deferred for active dental, oral, nasal, skin, or systemic infection. Significant maxillary retrusion or dental malocclusion needs orthodontic and/or orthognathic assessment rather than localized cosmetic camouflage; double-jaw surgery addresses a skeletal and functional jaw discrepancy when indicated. Insufficient bone or soft-tissue coverage can make an implant visible or palpable and limit the safe degree of augmentation. Uncontrolled illness, bleeding risk, unsafe nicotine exposure, anesthesia contraindications, or untreated body-dysmorphic disorder are important reasons not to proceed.

How Is a Paranasal Implant Performed?

Paranasal implantation is also called premaxillary, peripyriform, or pyriform-aperture augmentation. The implant sits over bone beside the nasal base and upper jaw; it is not a dental implant and does not enter the paranasal sinuses.

• Implant material — Solid silicone, ePTFE, and porous polyethylene are alloplastic options described for facial augmentation. Silicone, ePTFE, and porous polyethylene involve different handling and removal trade-offs: silicone is generally easier to remove because it becomes encapsulated, while porous polyethylene allows tissue ingrowth and can be harder to remove.
• Implant design — The surgeon can select a prefabricated implant, contour material during surgery, or consider a CT/CBCT-based custom device. Anatomy, asymmetry, soft-tissue thickness, and the planned degree of augmentation determine the appropriate design; imaging aids planning but does not guarantee symmetry or satisfaction.
• Access and stabilization — The surgeon creates a subperiosteal pocket over the premaxilla through an intranasal or intraoral incision, positions the implant, and uses pocket precision, sutures, or screw fixation when judged necessary. An intranasal hemi-transfixion approach has been described in the literature.
• Standalone or combined operation — A paranasal implant can be placed alone or with rhinoplasty. Combined surgery can improve facial balance when both nasal shape and skeletal support require correction, but recovery and travel clearance then follow the more extensive operation.
• Evidence limit — No country, material, incision, or custom-design process has been proven universally superior for cosmetic paranasal augmentation. Available implant-complication research often pools different facial locations and nasal dorsal implants, so it cannot provide a personalized paranasal-implant risk estimate.

Why Visit Korea for a Paranasal Implant?

Korea is an established destination for international medical care, including aesthetic surgery. However, the available evidence does not establish that Korea produces superior outcomes specifically for paranasal implants. Choose a surgeon based on a clear anatomical rationale, implant plan, complication protocol, and continuity of care rather than destination alone.

• International-care infrastructure — Seoul reported more than one million international medical tourists in 2024, supporting the availability of services designed for overseas patients.
• Planning for combined facial surgery — Paranasal augmentation is recognized as an adjunct to rhinoplasty in selected anatomy, particularly where premaxillary support affects nasal projection or the nasolabial angle. The clinical literature describes this structural relationship, but it does not show that every rhinoplasty patient benefits from an implant.
• Custom-implant caution — Three-dimensional imaging and custom implants are available planning approaches, not a proven outcome advantage. A 2026 two-patient report of CAD/CAM PMMA implants placed with Le Fort I osteotomy is feasibility evidence in a highly selected orthognathic setting, not proof for standalone cosmetic surgery.
• Records for cross-border care — Ask for the operative note, implant manufacturer, material, dimensions, lot information, fixation details, anesthesia record, medication list, and relevant imaging before departure. These documents matter if a clinician at home later evaluates infection, asymmetry, or revision.

Key Information for International Patients

• Minimum local stay — Plan 10–14 days in Korea for implant-only surgery: arrive 1–2 days before surgery for examination and indicated imaging, attend an early review, and remain until roughly postoperative day 7–10 for a wound and implant-position check.
• Flight timing — Treat 10–14 days as a conservative care plan, not an evidence-based universal minimum. Aviation-medicine guidance calls for individualized assessment after surgery; infection, bleeding, pain-control needs, combined rhinoplasty, graft harvest, jaw surgery, or other complications can require a longer stay.
• Early itinerary impact — Expect swelling, bruising, tightness, upper-lip or cheek numbness, and discomfort to be most noticeable in the first week. Keep the first 7–14 days free of demanding tourism, nightlife, strenuous walking, gyms, and appearance-dependent events.
• Repeat visits — Attend the surgeon’s scheduled in-person postoperative checks before flying. A later video review can assess healing and contour, but it cannot replace examination when there is implant mobility, marked asymmetry, infection concern, or wound breakdown.
• Travel after clearance — Follow the surgeon’s instructions for hydration and walking during a long-haul flight. Seek emergency care for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or one-sided leg swelling.

Travel note: Book refundable accommodation near the surgical facility and a flexible return flight. Do not leave Korea merely because swelling looks improved; obtain explicit clearance from the operating surgeon.

Which Are the Best Clinics in Korea for Paranasal Implant?

Listed below are some of the best clinics in Korea for paranasal implant.

1. Geurim Plastic Surgery

You can consider Geurim Plastic Surgery for a paranasal implant if you want surgical enhancement of the area around your nose as part of broader facial-proportion planning. The clinic specifically lists paranasal implants alongside nasolabial-angle adjustment, nasal bone surgery, tip refinement, and facial-asymmetry correction, which may be relevant when your goals involve the nose-to-midface relationship.

• URL: Geurim Plastic Surgery Website
• Location: Seoul
• Procedure and related facial options:
  • Paranasal implant is listed to enhance the area around the nose.
  • Nasolabial-angle adjustment is available for modifying the relationship between the nose and upper lip.
  • Facial asymmetry correction, buccal fat removal, masseter reduction, and double-jaw surgery are also listed facial procedures.
• Nasal surgery options:
  • Revision rhinoplasty, septoplasty, nose osteotomy, and tip plasty are listed.
  • Septoplasty is described as straightening a deviated septum to improve breathing.
• Additional reconstructive services:
  • The clinic lists cleft lip and cleft palate surgery, foreign-body removal, and scar revision treatments.
  • Scar-related options include acne, burn, atrophic, and keloid scar treatment.

2. Dangkim Tug Plastic Surgery Clinic

You may consider Dangkim Tug Plastic Surgery Clinic if you are looking for a clinic with listed nasal reshaping and autologous-cartilage nose-tip surgery, plus postoperative hospitalization and aftercare; however, the supplied information does not specifically confirm that it offers paranasal implants, so you would need to verify availability for this procedure.

• URL: Dangkim Tug Plastic Surgery Clinic Website
• Location: Seocho-gu, Seoul
• Nasal and facial options:
  • Listed nasal procedures include comprehensive nose reshaping and nose-tip surgery using your own cartilage.
  • Nostril reduction is listed as a facial-contouring option and may be performed with other rhinoplasty techniques.
  • Jaw-reduction surgery is also listed for facial contouring.
• Care arrangements:
  • The clinic states that its medical staff are verified through real-name authentication.
  • An emergency-management system is described.
  • Post-surgery hospitalization and aftercare for necessary follow-up treatment are listed.

3. Petit Party Clinic

The supplied information does not confirm that Petit Party Clinic offers paranasal implants. Its listed services focus instead on undereye fat transfer, upper-eyelid surgery, minimally invasive facial lifting, facial injections, and chest autofat transfer, so you would need to confirm whether a paranasal implant consultation is available.

• URL: Petit Party Clinic Website
• Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Listed facial services:
  • Dual undereye fat transfer is listed to smooth and brighten the undereye area.
  • [Upper blepharoplasty](/blog/upper-blepharoplasty-korea) is listed for removal of excess upper-eyelid skin and fat.
  • AcuV-Lifting is described as a minimally invasive treatment intended to lift and tighten skin for a more defined V-line.
  • GPC Fox Line Injection is listed as a non-surgical facial-contouring treatment.

Paranasal Implant From Start to Finish

1. Remote consultation — Send standardized full-face photographs, medical history, dental and orthodontic history, prior facial surgery, fillers or implants, current medicines, allergies, nicotine use, and any existing CT or CBCT scans. English-language or virtual consultation availability varies by provider; a remote recommendation remains provisional.
2. In-person assessment — The surgeon examines facial symmetry, nasal-base and lip support, dental occlusion, soft-tissue coverage, and the contribution of maxillary retrusion. Discuss implant material, dimensions, incision, fixation, expected projection, removability, revision planning, and whether rhinoplasty or orthognathic evaluation is more appropriate.
3. Imaging and preoperative clearance — CT or CBCT is considered when asymmetry, previous trauma or surgery, custom design, or uncertain bony fit requires further assessment. Complete any anesthesia evaluation and tests requested for your health history.
4. Anesthesia and placement — This is commonly an outpatient procedure under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Through an intranasal or intraoral approach, the surgeon creates a subperiosteal pocket over the premaxilla, inserts and aligns the implant, and stabilizes it with the planned pocket, sutures, or fixation.
5. Discharge — Leave with a responsible adult after anesthesia; do not stay alone on the first night. Receive written instructions covering pain medicines, any antibiotic plan, incision care, diet and oral hygiene for intraoral access, activity restrictions, and an emergency contact route.
6. Early recovery and review — Swelling, bruising, tightness, and upper-lip or cheek sensory changes are common early concerns. Attend the scheduled wound and implant-position review before international departure.
7. Remote follow-up — Arrange photo or video follow-up after returning home and keep all implant records. Contact the operating team promptly rather than relying on remote review alone if pain or swelling worsens, drainage develops, or the implant appears to move.

Alternatives to a Paranasal Implant

Non-surgical options can be appropriate for mild volume deficiency or a temporary trial, while surgery provides more durable structural change but carries anesthesia, infection, malposition, and revision risks. The correct alternative depends on whether the concern is skeletal support, nasal shape, soft-tissue descent, or a dental/jaw discrepancy.

Hyaluronic-Acid Filler

• Best role — Facial filler can temporarily add volume to mild paranasal hollowing and help test the visual effect of augmentation without a permanent implant.
• Tradeoff — Treatment requires repeat sessions and has uncommon but potentially severe vascular complications; it is not equivalent to correcting a substantial skeletal deficiency.

Fat Grafting

• Best role — Face fat grafting uses the patient’s own tissue for soft-tissue volume augmentation around the midface and paranasal area.
• Tradeoff — Retention is variable, additional grafting can be needed, and it does not provide the fixed structural support of an alloplastic implant.

Rhinoplasty or Cartilage Support

• Best role — Rhinoplasty is more appropriate when nasal shape or projection is the primary concern. Cartilage grafting can be considered when support is being addressed during nasal surgery.
• Tradeoff — Cartilage avoids a synthetic implant but introduces donor-site considerations and can resorb or warp; rhinoplasty alone does not reliably correct deficient paranasal skeletal support.

Orthognathic Assessment

• Best role — Double-jaw surgery or orthodontic treatment is relevant when maxillary retrusion and malocclusion are clinically meaningful.
• Tradeoff — Jaw correction addresses the underlying skeletal and functional relationship but is far more extensive than localized cosmetic augmentation.

Midface Lift

• Best role — Face lift techniques can be more suitable for folds caused mainly by soft-tissue descent and laxity.
• Tradeoff — A lift repositions soft tissue; it does not replace deficient premaxillary bone support.

How Can I Prepare for a Paranasal Implant?

• Medical disclosure — Provide every prescription medicine, over-the-counter product, vitamin, herbal supplement, recreational substance, allergy, previous facial procedure, and past anesthesia reaction. Do not stop anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, diabetes medicines, or other prescribed treatment without direction from the prescribing clinician and surgical/anesthesia team.
• Infection and dental screening — Report tooth pain, gum disease, mouth ulcers, cold sores, fever, sinus or nasal symptoms, and recent dental work. Resolve active oral, dental, skin, nasal, or systemic infection before elective implantation.
• Nicotine and alcohol — Stop cigarettes, vaping, nicotine pouches, and other nicotine products for the entire pre- and postoperative interval required by the surgical team; nicotine impairs healing. Avoid alcohol as instructed and never combine it with sedating pain medicine.
• Fasting — Follow the anesthesiologist’s exact instructions for food and clear liquids. Do not use a universal fasting timetable in place of clinic-specific guidance.
• Treatment-area care — Arrive without active facial or oral infection and avoid unapproved facial treatments around the surgical date. Follow the clinic’s directions on toothbrushing, mouthwash, makeup, and skincare.
• Discharge support — Arrange an adult companion for discharge and the first postoperative night. Confirm accessible accommodation close to the facility and transport that does not require driving after sedation or general anesthesia.
• Travel flexibility — Keep 10–14 days available in Korea and book changeable flights. Combined rhinoplasty, jaw surgery, graft harvest, or an unexpected complication can extend the required stay.

Travel note: Bring a printed medicine list and copies of prior facial imaging, dental records, and operative reports. Confirm how to contact the surgical team outside office hours.

Confirm all medication changes, fasting instructions, nicotine requirements, testing, and travel timing with the treating surgeon and anesthesiologist; their individualized instructions take precedence.

Aftercare Advice

Protect the implant pocket and incision during early healing; increasing pain, swelling, or asymmetry requires prompt clinical assessment rather than watchful waiting.

• Swelling and position protection — Sleep with the head elevated, use cold compresses only as directed, and avoid pressure, trauma, vigorous facial massage, or excessive upper-lip stretching. Swelling and tightness are usually most apparent during days 1–7.
• Activity and heat — Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, contact sports, swimming, saunas, and forceful chewing until cleared. Restrictions depend on implant material, incision route, fixation, and whether another facial procedure was performed.
• Incision and oral care — Keep any dressing, tape, or incision care regimen exactly as prescribed. With an intraoral incision, follow instructions on soft foods, gentle rinsing, and careful toothbrushing away from the wound.
• Recovery timetable — Many patients resume quiet, non-strenuous activity in about 7–14 days. Substantial settling often takes 1–2 months, and final contour assessment takes several months; do not schedule an important event around the early appearance.
• Urgent warning signs — Contact the operating team urgently for worsening pain or swelling, rapidly enlarging one-sided swelling, fever, pus or foul drainage, persistent bleeding, wound separation, implant movement, new marked asymmetry, skin or mucosal breakdown, implant exposure, worsening numbness, or difficulty opening the mouth, breathing, or swallowing.
• Follow-up and records — Attend the in-person review before departure and complete the agreed remote follow-up after returning home. Retain the implant and operative records in case revision or emergency care becomes necessary.

Follow the treating doctor’s instructions over general guidance and contact the clinic immediately when healing appears abnormal.