Can Overly Wide Nose Bridge from Injury Be Thinned?

Question

I broke my nose before and it healed wrongly. There is a lot of excess cartilage in the bridge now, making it wider. Also, the bone is a little off center. Can the cartilage be shaved or cut off and the bone straightened back into position? How would this procedure be done?

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

There are very few things that a good rhinoplasty surgeon can not help you with. It is important to have your expectations in line with what changes to your nose you have discussed with your surgeon. Narrowing the bridge is a standard  procedure in rhinoplasty but, only after a thorough physical examination by a qualified surgeon will you know how much narrowing to expect and what techniques will be necessary in order to accomplish this goal. Your prior trauma may make things a little more tricky depending upon the extent of the injury and resultant scarring.

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

Hello,
It is possible to perform osteotomies which will narrow your nasal bones and enable them to be straightened. Excess cartilage may be shaved down as well.  I would really need to see photos to give you the best advice. 
Thank you and best of luck.
Dr. Nassif

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

As stated by my colleagues, there are many techniques available for correction of traumatic nasal deformity.
However, it may not be realistic to expect a perfectly straight nose. In some instances the best result is obtained by using a camouflage graft to conceal the irregularity

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

The injury described sounds like a combination fracture of the nasal bones and nasal septum. Trauma to the nasal bones can lead to new bone production, creating a widened hump on the top of the nose. The off-center portion of your nose sounds like a combination of nasal bones shifting and a fracture to the septum (interior middle nasal wall ) during your injury. These injuries can very likely be repaired with a septorhinoplasty which will address the internal factors (nasal septum) and thin the appearance of your external nose.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

If your nose is wide and crooked after trauma, Rhinoplasty Surgery may be beneficial. You should consult a few board-certified, experienced Rhinoplasty specialists to get an idea of what's feasible. I always do computer imaging so you can have an idea of what to expect after your Rhinoplasty.
I've attached a link to my Rhinoplasty photos for your perusal.
I hope this is helpful for you.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

The correction of your problem will probably require the bones to be refractured into the center and obtain a straight nose. Any bump can be shaved at the same time.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Sean,
Corrective rhinoplasty after nasal trauma is a common surgery.  Consult with an experienced and skilled rhinoplasty surgeon.  After your examination, the surgeon will discuss with you the best way to achieve results that will satisfy you.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

Jon F. Harrell, DO, FACS · Answer

Your situation is actually quite common. The bridge can be reduced, the nasal bones repositioned and your overall appearance improved. Another issue you may have is a septal deviation which is a malposition of the bone and cartilage that separate the two nostrils. This can contribute to the deviation of the external nose as well. All this can be performed through several small incisions hiddent inside the nasal chamber. There are specialized instruments to reduce the bridge and narrow the nasal bones. Overall you will probably see a nice improvement in your nasal appearance. Best of Luck - Dr Harrell

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Yes, the nasal bones can be narrowed but not thinned. Once a hump is removed the nasal bones themselves can be narrowed and straightened through both medial and lateral osteotomies to straighten and narrow the pyramid of the nose. This is also known as re-breaking the nasal bones. Both have to be straightened back into position since it took a lot of force to get them out of place. This is done through a rhinoplasty usually under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, and takes about an hour to an hour-and-a-half to perform.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Well, without examining you it would be difficult to say. However, wide noses can usually be treated very easily. If the bones are wide from fracture, the bones can be fractured to narrow them. Cartilage can also be modified to improve the appearance as well.

Can Overly Wide Nose Bridge from Injury Be Thinned?

Answers (17)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Does the Tip Drop After Rhinoplasty?

How to Fix Hereditary Crooked Nose?

What's the Ideal Masculine Nose Shape?

Options for Progressively Crooked Nose?

Can I Ask for Jennifer Aniston's Nose when Getting a Nose Job?

Can Closed Rhinoplasty Fix my Asymmetrical Nostrils?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS