There are a number of things I'd like to correct about my nose (bulbous tip, wide base, wide nostrils) but I'm most concerned about the bony sides of the bridge. Are these considered the dorsal sidewalls? I'm not sure what the correct term for them is, or if they're even considered a part of the nose. But I do feel that the "height" of this bony area makes my upper nose seem very chunky and masculine. Do rhinoplasties typically take care of this part of the face?
Answer: Nasal vault sidewall reduction in African American rhinoplasty. The area of the nose that you are referencing can be referred to as the nasal vault sidewall. The nasal vault is essentially the middle third of the nose and has a dorsum (the top) also known as the bridge and a right and left sidewall which meet with the face at the naso-facial groove. From your photos it would appear that this area is particularly prominent and wide. This area can be reduced using bone cuts or osteotmies to narrow the bony portion of the sidewall at this location. In some cases it may be necessary to decrease the thickness of bone in this area. I have done this using a small incision in the oral cavity and accessing the naso-facial groove with a powered bone cutting burr. Please keep in mind when planning your rhinoplasty, that overall balance and harmony between the nose and the rest of the nose is paramount. In the case of ethnic rhinoplasty, one needs to balance the degree to which the nasal features are modified versus preservation of ethnic appearance: more may not be better. Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC, FACS.
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Answer: Nasal vault sidewall reduction in African American rhinoplasty. The area of the nose that you are referencing can be referred to as the nasal vault sidewall. The nasal vault is essentially the middle third of the nose and has a dorsum (the top) also known as the bridge and a right and left sidewall which meet with the face at the naso-facial groove. From your photos it would appear that this area is particularly prominent and wide. This area can be reduced using bone cuts or osteotmies to narrow the bony portion of the sidewall at this location. In some cases it may be necessary to decrease the thickness of bone in this area. I have done this using a small incision in the oral cavity and accessing the naso-facial groove with a powered bone cutting burr. Please keep in mind when planning your rhinoplasty, that overall balance and harmony between the nose and the rest of the nose is paramount. In the case of ethnic rhinoplasty, one needs to balance the degree to which the nasal features are modified versus preservation of ethnic appearance: more may not be better. Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC, FACS.
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Answer: Yes! Rhinoplasty, some advices: Thank you very much for the questions.The harmony between facial parts makes us instinctively recognize the beauty... without knowing it, without defining it, just a perception that surprises and captivates us.In this regard, After having analyzed all the info. and photos provided to us, i recommend you perform an Open Full Rhinoplasty, includding narrowing of the nasal base and nostrils, with nasal bones treatment (controled fracture) and alar + triangular nasal cartilages re-shaping.With this procedure you get a delicate nose, better harmonize with your other facial features.Respectfully, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol.-
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Answer: Yes! Rhinoplasty, some advices: Thank you very much for the questions.The harmony between facial parts makes us instinctively recognize the beauty... without knowing it, without defining it, just a perception that surprises and captivates us.In this regard, After having analyzed all the info. and photos provided to us, i recommend you perform an Open Full Rhinoplasty, includding narrowing of the nasal base and nostrils, with nasal bones treatment (controled fracture) and alar + triangular nasal cartilages re-shaping.With this procedure you get a delicate nose, better harmonize with your other facial features.Respectfully, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol.-
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July 1, 2015
Answer: Would a rhinoplasty take care of the sides of my nose? Absolutely. The bones can be shifted inward to create a thinner bridge. You can certainly refine the tip and the alar base as well. I think that rhinoplasty is really about listening to what the patient wants and then having the technical skill to execute those wishes.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions every week. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
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July 1, 2015
Answer: Would a rhinoplasty take care of the sides of my nose? Absolutely. The bones can be shifted inward to create a thinner bridge. You can certainly refine the tip and the alar base as well. I think that rhinoplasty is really about listening to what the patient wants and then having the technical skill to execute those wishes.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions every week. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
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March 17, 2014
Answer: Wide bony vault It appears that you are concerned with the width of the bony vault of your nose. Some other common concerns that prompt black patients to seek rhinoplasty include the flat bridge and the width of the lower nose including flaring of the nostrils. Additionally, a flat, large, ill-defined tip may also accompany these other features. Increasing the height of the dorsum will help to balance the profile but also improve definition of the bridge from the front view. In the case of a wide bony vault, osteotomies (controlled fractures of the bones) can be performed to narrow the bony vault of the nose and narrow the point of inflection where the cheek appears to transition into the nasal sidewall of the nose. This change in the bony vault along with improving tip definition and projection can help to make the nose appear less flat and wide giving the nose more definition. Typically, alar base surgery is also required to decrease the flaring or an excessively rounded appearance of the nostrils as well as their size. Although it is possible to make the nose look significantly better with rhinoplasty, it is important that the resulting changes still appear in balance with the other facial features and remain ethnically congruent to avoid an unnatural result and stigmatizing result. The goal of rhinoplasty surgery should be to create a nose that is best suited to your face both in proportion and shape so that you achieve the most natural looking result. If done well, it is possible to achieve a result after rhinoplasty that looks significantly better to you while making it not obvious that surgery was ever performed. You would benefit from a consultation with a board certified plastic surgery that has significant experience with rhinoplasty in black patients.
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March 17, 2014
Answer: Wide bony vault It appears that you are concerned with the width of the bony vault of your nose. Some other common concerns that prompt black patients to seek rhinoplasty include the flat bridge and the width of the lower nose including flaring of the nostrils. Additionally, a flat, large, ill-defined tip may also accompany these other features. Increasing the height of the dorsum will help to balance the profile but also improve definition of the bridge from the front view. In the case of a wide bony vault, osteotomies (controlled fractures of the bones) can be performed to narrow the bony vault of the nose and narrow the point of inflection where the cheek appears to transition into the nasal sidewall of the nose. This change in the bony vault along with improving tip definition and projection can help to make the nose appear less flat and wide giving the nose more definition. Typically, alar base surgery is also required to decrease the flaring or an excessively rounded appearance of the nostrils as well as their size. Although it is possible to make the nose look significantly better with rhinoplasty, it is important that the resulting changes still appear in balance with the other facial features and remain ethnically congruent to avoid an unnatural result and stigmatizing result. The goal of rhinoplasty surgery should be to create a nose that is best suited to your face both in proportion and shape so that you achieve the most natural looking result. If done well, it is possible to achieve a result after rhinoplasty that looks significantly better to you while making it not obvious that surgery was ever performed. You would benefit from a consultation with a board certified plastic surgery that has significant experience with rhinoplasty in black patients.
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March 9, 2014
Answer: Bony narrowing and Rhinoplasty The issue of the upper nose being wide that you mention is a very common issue. Narrowing the sidewalls is accomplished by osteotomies (bone cuts) and then narrowing the nasal bones. If your case I would suggest perforating double lateral osteotomies for narrowing, since the frontal process of the maxilla is prominent in your case. I wrote a paper on this with Dr. William Lawson about 12 years ago. It was published by the archives of facial plastic surgery. If you can look it up and read it, you may find it interesting. There is also a brief explanation of the papers content on my website (newfaceny.com). All the best.
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March 9, 2014
Answer: Bony narrowing and Rhinoplasty The issue of the upper nose being wide that you mention is a very common issue. Narrowing the sidewalls is accomplished by osteotomies (bone cuts) and then narrowing the nasal bones. If your case I would suggest perforating double lateral osteotomies for narrowing, since the frontal process of the maxilla is prominent in your case. I wrote a paper on this with Dr. William Lawson about 12 years ago. It was published by the archives of facial plastic surgery. If you can look it up and read it, you may find it interesting. There is also a brief explanation of the papers content on my website (newfaceny.com). All the best.
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