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Nose Tip and Nostril Reconstruction

Manhattan, NYC, New York

There are a number of nose tip and nostril irregularities that can be corrected via rhinoplasty. Here are some of the most common forms that we see:

 

• Tip is too large or bulbous – This can be reduced by partially removing or reshaping the cartilage in the tip of your nose. However, your cartilage should be left essentially intact along the rim of your nostrils to prevent them from looking pinched.

• Poorly defined tip – The tip of your nose should be slightly separated from the upper part of your nose. It should also project slightly beyond the main body of your nose. Dr. Bellin can achieve this result by operating on your nose tip cartilage. If correctly performed, your nose tip will not "fall" after your surgery.

• Nostrils are too wide – The "wings" of your nose can be narrowed by cutting out a wedge–shaped piece from the outer base of each of your nostrils. This is referred to as alarplasty, and it is one of the few times that an external cut is made on your nose. The resulting scars are thin and hidden from view in the natural crease of your nostrils.

• Nose tip hangs down – This is usually more of an illusion than a real deformity. When you have a curved bump on your nose, your eye tends to follow it down to the tip, which seemingly droops. When your bump is treated, your tip should take on a more normal appearance. If the tip really does hang down, it can usually be set right by removing surplus cartilage. This should raise it to a more attractive position. However, if your doctor is careless and removes too much cartilage, or removes it from the wrong place, your result may be a "piggy" nose, causing your nostrils to look wide and open.

• The area between your nostrils hangs down – The area between your nostrils is called the columella, and it can be corrected by simply shaving off some of the cartilage that is causing the problem. Thus your columella should be elevated to its proper height. This can also create the illusion of an elevated tip without making the nostril more visible.

• The area between your nostrils retracts – This particular problem can either occur due to your natural state or as an undesirable result from a previous nose surgery. The most common correction is grafting on cartilage or inserting a piece of silicone to bring your columella back to normal.

• “Ski jump” nose or “saddle” nose – When you have too little tissue along the top of your nose, the middle of your nose may appear to be caved in, or even crushed. This condition is especially prevalent in people of Asian or African–American heritage. It is almost always treated by taking cartilage from the inside of your nose and using it to build up the affected area of your nose. Silicone implants or cartilage from the ear may also be used as acceptable alternatives to using cartilage from inside your nose.

If you have nose tip or nostril irregularities and are interested in rhinoplasty, please contact us today to arrange a free nose surgery consultation.