I had rhinoplasty on July 9th. My doctor cut my depressor septi muscle (frenulum), so I still have stitches. When i smile, my upper lip covers my top teeth and it is a little painful. I'm really scared that my smile won't go back to the way it was because it was my favorite feature. Will it go back to the exact same it was? And if so, when?
Answer: Rhinoplasty result In general, resection of the depressor septi muscle will not affect your smile the much. However, if you had augmentation rhinoplasty using L-Shape silicone implant, particularly with the large pre-maxillar part design, or pre-maxillar augmentation had been done, it may alter your smile permanently.In the meantime, it's still too early to make any conclusion so please be more patient as the result will still change as you body heals.
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Answer: Rhinoplasty result In general, resection of the depressor septi muscle will not affect your smile the much. However, if you had augmentation rhinoplasty using L-Shape silicone implant, particularly with the large pre-maxillar part design, or pre-maxillar augmentation had been done, it may alter your smile permanently.In the meantime, it's still too early to make any conclusion so please be more patient as the result will still change as you body heals.
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July 24, 2014
Answer: Rhinoplasty surgery and smile concerns Dear Dana, You are still in the early stages of recovery from rhinoplasty. If your surgeon cut the depressor septi muscle then I must assume this was something you discussed prior to surgery due to a complaint of a "gummy smile". The frenulum is not cut in a typical rhinoplasty and is cut to lower the lip when smiling. I would discuss with your surgeon your concerns. In rhinoplasty sometimes the smile is affected due to swelling and will return to it's normal motion anywhere from one week post op to sometimes a several months. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.
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July 24, 2014
Answer: Rhinoplasty surgery and smile concerns Dear Dana, You are still in the early stages of recovery from rhinoplasty. If your surgeon cut the depressor septi muscle then I must assume this was something you discussed prior to surgery due to a complaint of a "gummy smile". The frenulum is not cut in a typical rhinoplasty and is cut to lower the lip when smiling. I would discuss with your surgeon your concerns. In rhinoplasty sometimes the smile is affected due to swelling and will return to it's normal motion anywhere from one week post op to sometimes a several months. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.
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