My nostrils are too wide when i smile - would alarplasty be enough? (Photo)

Question

I want alarplasty because my nostrils are too wide when i smile. I don’t want my nosetip to be pointy either, and I don’t know if you think I should do something to my nose bridge. I like the side profile of my nose. I also saw that alarplasty can lead to nostrils look like triangles and I think it’s not natural, do you think my nostrils would look the same? I also have an overbite and I don’t know if alarplasty would create an imbalanced side profile. Do you think alarplasty would be enough?

Stephen J. Pincus, MD · Answer

For patients who want a mild reduction in their alar base and minimal widening with smiling, I free the entire lower soft tissue of the nose from its bony attachment to produce a very slight general contraction of the entire area. I also add a cinching suture beneath the nostrils, which helps prevent the nostrils from widening greatly when the patient smiles. Obviously, an in-person consultation is always best to see if a minimal excision of alar wall &/or alar floor may also be helpful in achieving the desired goal.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

A rhinoplasty specialist will be able to comprehensively address the issues you have with your nose. Alar base modification is an effective way to reduce the flare and/or width of the nostrils. Excess width can be reduced with sill incisions, excess flare with Weir incisions, and excess flare + width addressed with a combined Weir+sill incision. A subtle dorsal augmentation would help make your nose appear not as wide. Looking at computer-morphed images with your surgeon during consultation will give you a good idea of what is possible, and also give you a great chance to convey to your surgeon what you envision. Consult with 2-3 of these surgeons in person and determine your comfort level with their approach, demeanor, and before and after results. Good luck @asianrhinoplasty @drdonyoo

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Alar plasty: an alar plasty can narrow the width of the base of the nostrils where they attach to the face. If done conservatively the nostrils should still look natural in most cases. If overdone or if done in patients who really should not have an alar plasty problems such as an unnatural appearance, scarring, and asymmetry could result. an alar plasty would mostly affect the view from underneath the nose and slightly The front view. It should not affect the side profile.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

An alar plasty can accomplish and narrowing of the base of the nostrils statically at rest. In our practice, we usually remove 4 to 5 mm at the base of each nostril To narrow them. We also release the ligament  attachments underneath the side wall the nostril to reduce the amount of  dynamic flaring when smiling. The triangular nostrils your are referring to in the diagram are from an overly aggressive tip-Plasty surgery, not an alar plasty. From the side profile, you have a recessive chin profile, so consider placement of a chin implant to augment your chin forward for better facial balance and proportions. Both an alar plasty and a chin implant can be performed under local anesthesia. Each procedure takes about 30 minutes.

My nostrils are too wide when i smile - would alarplasty be enough? (Photo)

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