Bone expansion in facial rejuvenation.

Soft tissues and bone structures of the face are both affected by aging, but the bone is the more important element in the three-dimensional contour and suspension of the soft tissue. Bone expansion augments bone volume in the midface. A lamellar split osteotomy of the midface is used for bone expansion, and cranial bone grafts fill spaces created by the expansion. These grafts, which resorb less than onlay grafts located on the resorption zones, are placed in contact with the apposition zone. This technique changes the three-dimensional contour of the outer lamella of the midface while maintaining its morphology. Bone expansion restores bone mass lost to resorption. It is performed along with a facelift. Yielding a face with a younger appearance, not just a face with less wrinkles.