Can Rhinoplasty Make my Nose Flatter?

Question

Hello,  the front of my nose is quite sharp. I was wondering if a nose job could make it flatter. The picture might help show what I mean. Thank you.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

IF you r nose has a prominent humnp. removal will produce a flatter nose. In most instances the nose is made smaller by bringing the two outer bones together. If your preference is to keep the nose wide and flat, use of an onlay graft (spetum, ear, cartilagewill make the front of the nose flatter. IF it is already small, placement of a flat garft will create the illusion of a flat front.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

You really need to see a plastic surgeon and be examined.  I am having a difficult time trying to figure out exaclty what you want achieved.
Make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

Flattening of the nasal dorsum is generally considered an undesirable effect following rhinoplasty. Some patients have an extremely narrow nose in the middle vault (midportion) and I suspect this is the problem you wish to correct. When reshaping the nasal dorsum the resulting width can be controlled by the surgeon. Typically, a rounded contour is obtained by rasping but an appearance of sharpness to the nose can be reduced.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

what you are pointing to is relatively easy. Actually in most rhinoplasties when we use a chisel (osteotome) to remove the nasal hump the result is a flat dorsum like an airplane runway. It can then be rasped to make the edges smoother.
Regards

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Black 30,
It looks like you are illustrating a wider mid third of the nose which gives the illusion of a flatter nose from the frontal view.  This can be accomplished with appropiate spreader cartilage grafts. 
Consult with a rhinoplasty specialist to discuss your rhinoplasty concerns.
Good luck and be well, and a most healthy 2010.
Dr. P

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

It's not common for someone to have a nasal bridge that is too narrow. During Rhinoplasty Surgery, I usually like to make the bridge as narrow as possible, especially after removing a hump.
You could certainly have your bridge widened with Rhinoplasty Surgery. I'm not sure it would provide the look that you desire.

Richard W. Westreich, MD · Answer

The appearance of the nose is a delicate interplay between shadows and highlights.
There is a relative relationship between width and height that determines the strength of the highlights (where light reflects) and the depths of the shadows. The contrast between these 2 then determines how "narrow" the nose looks after surgery.
Tall noses with a bump tend to have very strong highlights and shadows since the height to wideth ratio is very high.
When a bumb is removed, that ratio changes. This is why bone work is typically done to narrow the nose. This narrowing re-establishes the shadow/highlight/shadow appearance as one looks across the nose, providing the perception of a narrow nose.
With respect to your question: most reduction rhinoplasties do produce a slight flattening of the area that you describe. While this, to most patients, may seem like a problem, it typically does put the nose into overall better balance.
Best of luck!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Flattening the top of the bridge of the nose can be performed by rasping the bridge to make it more flat. An osteotomy or breaking of the nasal bones would not usually have to occur. If there is a large bump that is present, osteotomies will have to be performed; otherwise, an open roof deformity will result.

Nina S. Naidu, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, it's hard to tell if you are referring to a dorsal hump. If so, yes, this can be taken down. We try not to make the nose too flat and wide, as this can be unattractive. I would recommend seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area so that your concerns can be addressed directly. Good luck, /nsn.

Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Your request to have a pointy or sharp nose made less sharp is not that unusual. When you look at good rhinoplasty results, you will notice the absence of prominent lines -- whether they are along the dome of the tip or the dorsum (the vertical central line of the nose) or the bridge. It is unlikely that any onlay grafts or special steps need to be taken to achieve the results you desire. Just do your homework and find a surgeon who seems to accomplish the natural appearance you seek.

Can Rhinoplasty Make my Nose Flatter?

Answers (15)

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