Introduction
Implantation sites
Am I suitable for PMMA augmentation?
Administration
Duration of implant
Side-effects
Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) is a suspension of microscopic synthetic polymer beads (microspheres) in a vehicle such as bovine collagen, hyaluronic acid or some other colloidal suspending agent. Artecoll® (PMMA suspended in bovine collagen) and MetaCrill® (PMMA suspended in a chemical colloid) are two brands of PMMA injectable augmentation products.
The resin has long been used by orthopaedic surgeons in bone cement for joint replacement or to replace a skull bone defect.
PMMA implantation can be used to improve the skin's contour and reduce depressions in the skin due to scars, injury or lines. They are used to correct facial lines and features that could have been treated with collagen replacement therapy or hyaluronic therapy, but where a more permanent solution is wanted.
Facial lines and features that can be corrected using PMMA implantation |
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Almost all people are suitable for augmentation with PMMA. PMMA microspheres are biologically inert and should be well tolerated by most people. Possibly a few individuals (0.1%) may react to PMMA. However, suitability for PMMA augmentation is also dependent on the vehicle that the PMMA is suspended in. If Artecoll® is being used then the patient needs to be tested for bovine collagen sensitivity; approximately 3% of the population is allergic to bovine collagen. Testing for bovine collagen sensitivity is done with collagen skin testing (see collagen replacement therapy for details on this procedure).
Treatments are carried out at your doctor's rooms.
Procedure for PMMA treatments |
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PMMA implantation is considered permanent. Within the first 1 to 3 months after treatment with Artecoll®, the bovine collagen vehicle degrades and is replaced with the body's own new collagen tissue. This binds to and encapsulates the PMMA microspheres into place thus preventing migration. The full effect of the augmentation may not be seen until this process is complete. A similar encapsulation process occurs with PMMA microspheres when Metacrill® is used.
PMMA therapy is generally very well tolerated. At the time of treatments most patients report minor discomfort. This is minimized by the use of a local anaesthetic. Immediately after treatment the area may be red, swollen and tender, this usually improves within a few days.
