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Reducing Nasal Bridge Height Without Looking Unnatural?

asked 2 years ago by Travis
Latest answer by Jon F. Harrell, DO
Question viewed 1,140 times
Tags: bridge, nose, cartilage, natural, septum

What techniques are used to slightly decrease bridge height/width of the nasal bony pyramid? Could the surgeon be over agressive and make it too narrow?

I'd also like to increase my nasolabial angle a little, would it be simple enough to just shorten the caudal part of the septum and barely overlap the lower lateral cartilages? Thanks.

13 answers to Reducing Nasal Bridge Height Without Looking Unnatural?

Natural result after rhinoplasty

The ultimate goal of rhinoplasty, regardless of approach or technique, is a natural proportional result. The changes you describe are routine to an experienced surgeon, regardless of the techniques used by that individual. Select the surgeon, not the approach.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty - Narrowing the Bridge

If you are looking for a conservative change to your apperance then that can be performed by careful rasping of the dorsum of the nose. The question is - how much can the dorsum be reduced without looking too wide? At some point narrowing of the bridge by perfoming an infracture of the nasal bones will be necessary. As for the lip/columella relationship the answer depends upon factors such as lip length, anatomy of the nasal spine and the prominence of the septum as well as the tip position... more

Jon F. Harrell, DO
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.westonsurgery.com

Reducing the nasal bridge and rotating the tip in rhinoplasty naturally

A natural, harmonious result should be the goal. The specifics of how to achieve this will depend on your anatomy, facial features, and the experience of the surgeon. Thus, it is paramount to discuss options with someone who has experience and who can help guide you through the process. Computer imaging may help.

Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmost.com

Nasal bridge height reduction method

Decreasing bridge height is attained by rasping and filing the nasal bridge down, however it can only be filed down approximately 2 or 3 mm before a square top or open roof deformity will result. If that results than osteotomies need to be performed to narrow the nasal bones and close the defect. It is possible to increase the nasal labial angle of the nose through a simple caudal septal margin resection of both membranous and cartilaginous septum. We do not overlap the lower lateral... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Creating a natural nose with rhinoplasty.

We pioneered the open rhinoplasty approach 35 years ago. Having said that, the skill and experience of the surgeon is what makes a natural, good rhinoplasty, not the approach. Look at the kind of noses the surgeon does, not computer imaging. Better yet see live patients the surgeon has done. That is your best chance of getting a very good nose.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

An open rhinoplasty allows the most accurate correction for your nose

An open rhinoplasty allows the most accurate assessment and correction of your internal nasal anatomy. The dorsum could definitely be lowered and the width narrowed. And yes, it is possible to overdo the changes, so discuss your goals with your plastic surgeon. Imaging is a good way to communicate. In my experience, it is usually not necessary to shave the caudal septum to achieve tip rotation. Rather, the tip can be fixed in the proper rotation with suture techniques, suturing the lower... more

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

You're asking for commonly performed Rhinoplasty maneouvers

And this is good. Reducing the bridge is often done during rhinoplasty. The two commonest techiques are chiseling and filing. And sure too much can be taken off. Plus the bridge can be made too narrow (although that's less common a problem). Rotating the tip is often the method used to open the nasolabial angle. Here there are many, many techiques. So many that its often a question on our specialty exams! Although the ways surgeons achieve the results are interesting, your task is to find... more

Oakley Smith, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.droakleysmithrhinoplasty.com

You can have your bridge lowered and your tip rotated with Rhinoplasty Surgery.

If the bridge of your nose is too high, and if the angle of your nose and upper-lip is too small, then it sounds like you're a good candidate for Rhinoplasty Surgery. In fact, these are some of the most common conditions I treat with Rhinoplasty Surgery. Obtaining a natural, un-operated result is dependent on the experience of your surgeon, the thickness of your skin, and the stiffness of your nasal cartilage. In that regard, you should consult several board-certified, experienced... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Subtle rhinoplasty (nose job) changes

Clearly you have an in depth understanding of the anatomy. I would meet with several qualified rhinoplasty surgeons to discuss your preferences and their solutions. A subtle rhinoplasty is possible.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Precisely Performed Rhinoplasty

From the way this question is phrased you either spent a lot of time reading up on Rhinoplasty surgery OR you must be in the medical field. What techniques are used to slightly decrease bridge height/width of the nasal bony pyramid? - Rhinoplasty should be done incrementally but WHAT is done depends on your complete presentation and cosmetic goals. While the dorsum can be lower minimally with some rasping, a real narrowing of the nasal pyramid would require in-fracturing. Could the surgeon... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Reducing nasal bridge height without looking unnatural?

Hi, Great question, sounds like you can almost perform the surgery on yourself. Depending on the extent of the correction required to slightly decrease the bridge height/width of the nasal bony pyramid, rasping can be performed with or without osteotomies (depending on the individual nose). Yes, if a surgeon either misdiagnoses the problem, does not recognize short nasal bones, or "misses" on the location of the osteotomies then it is possible that too narrow of a nose can be... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Careful reduction of the nasal framework.

The specific techniques will vary from patient to patient, but they include rasping (filing) of the bridge of the nose and osteotomies (bone cuts) to reduce width, height, or close an "open roof." To aggressive a reduction can make a nose look pinched or scooped or take on other unnatural angles. As for increasing the nasolabial angle, this is also done in a number of ways depending on the rest of the anatomy that will be affected. Caudal setbacks, lateral crural overlays, lateral... more

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like a routine Rhinoplasty

In the hands of an experienced Rhinoplasty Surgeon all of these maneuvers are fairly routine. The key is to pick a surgeon who shares your aesthetic sense and who makes Rhyinoplasty their specialty. There are some Plastic Surgeons who fit this description but there are many more Facial Plastic Surgeons who specialize in nasal surgery. Look at various websites and then visit a couple of surgeons. Your best shot for a successful nasal surgery is the very first surgery done so make sure you... more