My nasal cartilage, upper lateral cartilage has detached from my nasal bone, is this normal? (read question details)

Question

Can the depressor septi ligament, and constant smiling over a period of time cause the upper lateral cartilage to eventually detach from the nasal bone, when i was around 16-17 my nose was fine, but now its slightly deformed and on either side there is a sudden emptiness, which i can squeeze and feel. can this worsen and cause the cartilage to further detach from the nasal bone? please give a detailed explanation.

Jeffrey Marvel, MD · Answer

I do not believe the depressor septi muscle could ever detach the upper lateral cartilage from the nasal bone.  Usually only trauma can cause this.  You may not have known when it occurred.  Even grabbing your nose and forcibly pulling it from side to side during harsh nose blowing would be more likely to cause this.  Keep on smiling!

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

I concur with what has been previously written. It takes a lot of force to detach the upper lateral cartilages from the nasal bones, as they sit up and under the bones.To truly evaluate your nose, it need to be evaluated face to face in a three dimensional view, feeling and looking and then evaluating nasal relation ships. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does a lot of these. Get a consult, ask lots of questions, look at lots of photos and make your decision. I hope this helpsGood LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Detachment of the upper lateral cartilages from the nasal bone is  usually caused from trauma. An active depressor septi ligament simply pulls the tip cartilages downward when smiling, but that should not have any effect on the attachment of the upper lateral cartilage to the nasal bones. To repair the detachment usually requires placement of spreader grafts underneath the concave upper lateral cartilages. The cartilage is harvested from inside the nasal septum. At the same time the depressor septi ligament can be released.  Digital computer imaging would be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with the procedure. For many examples and more information, please see the link and the video below

My nasal cartilage, upper lateral cartilage has detached from my nasal bone, is this normal? (read question details)

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My nasal cartilage, upper lateral cartilage has detached from my nasal bone, is this normal? (read question details)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.