Removing Nose Bump Without Breaking the Nose?

If you have a bump on your nose, just filing it down might work, if the nose is very narrow. But more often than not, just filing the bump will leave you with a flatter bump in the side-view, but a very broad bridge in the front view. Because of this I almost always (more than 95% of the time) break the nose as well, so that I can bring in the sides of the nose closer together and make the bridge narrower and nicer from the front. 
Try not to worry too much about the nose being broken. If it is done carefully, by someone who knows what they are doing (do your homework, and find a properly qualified, Board Certified/GMS Specialist) and you will hopefully find that it is not too bad.

Hello and thank you for your question. I don’t recommend reducing a dorsal hump without osteotomies as this can lead to an open roof deformity. A full rhinoplasty is a much better option. Cost varies based on surgeon expertise and geographic location. The total cost of primary rhinoplasty in my practice is $22.5k (all fees included). If you have breathing problems with documented nostril collapse and a deviated septum, then insurance can sometimes cover a portion of the cost. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

There are many options for those looking to remove unsightly bumps or asymmetrical features of the nose. While traditional rhinoplasty is one of the best options for permanent results, a non-surgical alternative might produce similar results without the pain and downtime of surgery. By injecting the nose with dermatological fillers such as Restylane, Juvéderm, and Radiesse, we are able to sculpt the nose to give it a more balanced appearance. Despite the fact that we are able to camouflage the bump in the nose, the nose itself cannot be made smaller through a non-surgical rhinoplasty.  

Options for removing or reducing the size of "bumps" on the nose, also known as dorsal humps, depend on the size of the bump along with the rest of your facial anatomy. Very small bumps may able to be reduced by filing down the bone. Most larger bumps do require breaking the nasal bones after the bump has been removed in order to prevent a complication called open roof deformity. An open roof deformity is the appearance of an unnatural-appearing flattening of the nasal bridge that can occur when a bump is removed. To prevent this from happening, the bones on the sides of the nose are broken and turned inward in a triangular fashion to give a more support and structure to the nasal septum. If you are interested in less invasive options to reduce the size of a bump on the nose, you may want to look into non-surgical rhinoplasty, where filler is injected into the bridge of the nose to create a smoother, straighter bridge.  

Gary Linkov, MD
Rhinoplasty Specialist
Manhattan

In my practice, I prefer to file bones gently rather than breaking them. This technique provides precision sculpting without the downtime of breaking bones. Gently filing the nasal bridge reduces the amount of swelling and bruising, thereby shortening the recovery period. It is always best to have an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who has substantial experience in rhinoplasty. Thank you for your question, and best of luck to you!