Can I wear braces elastics after rhinoplasty?

Dear cobraking,

Thank you for your clinical post and
common question from patients with braces undergoing rhinoplasty. A rhinoplasty is an operation with
alternation of nasal bones and/or cartilages to refine nasal shape and contour to
better match the facial skeletal and soft tissue features. The nasal bones, when divided from the facial
bone called the maxilla, is also attached to the same bone name, maxilla that
bears the root of your teeth. When you
strain gauge the teeth by placing elastics on your braces you may feel some
tension through the osteotomy or fracture sites of your nasal bones, but this
should cause no deformity or deformation.

By 6 weeks you should be completely
free to wear the elastics on your braces without fear of alteration of your
post rhinoplasty contour.

Of course, very important to check
with your operative surgeon as they are in the best position to advise you as
they performed the surgery.

I’m sure you’re going to get an
excellent result both with your orthodontic work and your rhinoplasty.

I hope this information is of some
assistance and best of luck.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto