In my rhinoplasty 20 months ago, cartilage from my ear was added to the tip of my nose. My septum is hard when i touch it and my upper lip doesn't go all the way. When i smiled before the surgery my upper front teeth were revealed 100%, a month after-50%, and now 85% hasn't changed the last year. what can i do to make this piece of cartilage get a more soft texture and the lip to be "allowed" up again? My doctor is not willing to do anything about it, he is not a part of any future solution
June 29, 2011
Answer: Reduced smile after rhinoplasty
Stiffness in the tip is common. Tip grafts are newhere as popular as they ten years ago. You might try smiling exercises. I have neveer had this problem from tip work alone unless something was done to the nasal base. If this procedue was done open, scr tissue might be a problem.
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June 29, 2011
Answer: Reduced smile after rhinoplasty
Stiffness in the tip is common. Tip grafts are newhere as popular as they ten years ago. You might try smiling exercises. I have neveer had this problem from tip work alone unless something was done to the nasal base. If this procedue was done open, scr tissue might be a problem.
Helpful
June 29, 2011
Answer: Rhinoplasty is about balance.
I can certainly appreciate your concern about the stiffness of your nose and the change to your smile. Although it is impossible for me to make suggestions without examining you or seeing photos, I suspect the changes you describe may be permanent.
Cartilage grafts to the nasal tip can result in greater stiffness to the nose. Additionally, modifications of the nasal base and septum can result in changes to your smile. As a surgeon one strives to strike a balance between achieving an aesthetically acceptable outcome while maintaining a natural feel to the nose - sometimes a compromise has to be reached one way or the other in order to deliver on a mutually agreed upon surgical goal.
At this point I would encourage you to seek out a second opinion from an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to determine if anything can be done to deliver on your expectations. I would anticipate that the stiffness can be modified, but would likely result in an aesthetic change to your nasal tip. Perhaps your smile could also be modified, but only a consultation can make this determination.
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June 29, 2011
Answer: Rhinoplasty is about balance.
I can certainly appreciate your concern about the stiffness of your nose and the change to your smile. Although it is impossible for me to make suggestions without examining you or seeing photos, I suspect the changes you describe may be permanent.
Cartilage grafts to the nasal tip can result in greater stiffness to the nose. Additionally, modifications of the nasal base and septum can result in changes to your smile. As a surgeon one strives to strike a balance between achieving an aesthetically acceptable outcome while maintaining a natural feel to the nose - sometimes a compromise has to be reached one way or the other in order to deliver on a mutually agreed upon surgical goal.
At this point I would encourage you to seek out a second opinion from an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to determine if anything can be done to deliver on your expectations. I would anticipate that the stiffness can be modified, but would likely result in an aesthetic change to your nasal tip. Perhaps your smile could also be modified, but only a consultation can make this determination.
Helpful