Does cutting the depressor septi nasi muscle affect the smile?

Question

I'm going to have a rhinoplasty procedure and the surgeon suggested that I have the m depressor setpti nasi muscle shortened so that the nosetip isn't pulled down when I smile widely. Will this affect my smile if that mucle is shortened or cut? Thanks beforehand.

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

Hi Darkangel10,The depressor septi nasii muscle can be a nuisance as it can pull down the nasal tip with smiling or movement of the mouth. Dividing that muscle should not affect your smile in any way.Good luck!

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

The effect on a patient's smile after resection of the depressor septi nasi muscles is quite minimal. Resection of those muscles is important when a patient is bothered by how much the tip of the nose plunges when smiling. Note, however, that for a short while immediately after surgery (for about three weeks), the smile WILL be affected due to swelling in the middle third of the upper lip (the philtrum)...but this is entirely temporary.All the best,--David C. Pearson, M.D.Pearson Facial Plastic Surgery

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

It will cause subtle alteration in smile. All these muscles are connected. Disrrupting any of smile muscles changes dynamics.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

Releasing the depressor septi nasi muscle affects the turning down of the nose with smiling, and not the smile itself.  Check how much your nose depresses with your smile and decide if you wish this procedure.Best wishes.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Releasing of the depressor septi ligament  will de-animate the tip of the nose to prevent the tip from drooping when smiling. In our practice, it has no affect on the smile muscle.

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Indeed, if your nose is pulled down when you smile, dividing the depressor septi nasi muscle will make this stop. It's a subtle change and tends not to be visible by others. But you may notice.   I have never had this as a defined goal for one of my rhinoplasty patients. However, in a few cases it has happened, for instance in cases where I'm reducing the nasal spine. Most of the time patients don't even notice. I had one person notice that it changed her smile slightly, but if you haven't resected the muscle, the normal motion tends to return with time. Good luck!

Does cutting the depressor septi nasi muscle affect the smile?

Answers (6)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

How long does it typically take for columella pain to subside post open rhinoplasty and how should I be cleaning it?

Does the hump/bump on your nose all of a sudden grow larger and larger?

My nose widens and drops when I smile, upper lips covering too much of my teeth. Any suggestions?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS