Can the surgeon shave the nasal bone at the root (brow ridge-nose part) to create a low-bridged nose? (photos)

Question

I see many before & after photos of nose surgeries where the hump is reduced but the nose remains high-bridged (first photo). I have a straight, high-bridged nose and really like the type of noses that their starting point stands below the supraorbital ridge (second photo). Is the shaving of the nasal bone at its starting point possible so that a low-bridged nose can be achieved? Or does it have to do with the anatomy of each face? Thank you.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The bone height of the radix can be changed to a certain degree with surgery but there are limitations that depend on your individual anatomy.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system. The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. 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

Luis E. Redondo, MD · Answer

this can easily be done, but I would not go as low as your second picture. You have a really beautiful face, and the look you are looking for is not natural, that can only be achieve with surgery so every will immediately know you had a surgery. I would go a little lower than the After in your first picture but not as low as the second. Best of luck,

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The dorsal hump  is composed of both bone and cartilage and sometimes is located high in the glabella. A dorsal hump reduction  can accomplish decreasing the dorsal hump, and reducing the high glabella and radix. All this can be performed with a closed rhinoplasty approach with all of the incisions placed on the inside of the nose. For more information and many examples, please see the link and  the video below

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

The radix (the area above the location of the hump) can be reduced and is often done with very high nasal humps like yours. This rhinoplasty maneuver can be particularly useful in females.

Alexander Ovchinsky, MD · Answer

While it is possible to reduce the size of the upper portion of the nasal dorsum (radix), there are certain limitations as to the extent of this reduction. Radix is mainly made of the frontal bone, not nasal bones, which is much thicker and not easily reducible. Sometimes, power instrumentation, like a drill, is used for this purpose. Secondly, if overzealous reduction is performed, one can violate the frontal sinus area, which is definitely not desirable. So, while it is definitely possible to reduce the radix height, the reduction may be limited at times.

Can the surgeon shave the nasal bone at the root (brow ridge-nose part) to create a low-bridged nose? (photos)

Answers (7)