Does the Droopy Tip of my Nose Affect my Smile? And if So, Will Getting a Nose Job Fix This? (photo)

Question

Hello, I've had a problem with the appearance of my nose for a while. It's size, longevity and bulbous/droopy tip also have an impact on my smile. As you can see in the pictures, my smile is unnatural looking. The front teeth are rarely visible when I smile, and for them to show even half-way I have to to try really hard which makes it obvious. I would like to have a smile that shows all of my front teeth, which are near-perfect after braces. So is a nose job the right thing to do? Est. costs?

Christopher Kolstad, MD · Answer

Hello,

You have asked a very interesting question.  The answer can be very technical in description, but also very simple: If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, a rhinoplasty could improve its features.  If you are unhappy with your smile, a rhinoplasty is not worth the expense of the procedure, the recovery, the risk, ect.

The amount of dental show with smiling animation is in large part related to the size of the teeth and the size of the maxilla (the bone connecting the bottom of the nose to the top of the teeth).  Maybe you have seen someone smile who has a little too much show:  all of the teeth, all of the gums, and then some.  This person likely has a very large maxillary bone, a term we call vertical maxillary excess.  Oral surgery alters the proportions of the maxillary bone, not rhinoplasty.  Your upper lips and cupid’s bow are very well proportioned and I would not recommend procedures to shorten them.

The tip of the nose drooping with conversation / animation is a common complaint in my practice.  Pay attention the next time you see a close-up of an actor in the profile (side) view, the tip of their nose will bob up and down as they are speaking.  For people that have a lot of movement or are concerned about the movement, there is a good correction for this during rhinoplasty.  Adding structure to the tip of the nose and removing one of the muscles of animation will stabilize the nasal tip considerably.

Hope this helps.

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

Actually it is the other way around the smile is making the tip droop. This is usually treated by dividing the muscle that connects the upper lip to the nasal tip. Dividing that muscle will not increase the amount of tooth showing when you smile and may even decrease it a bit. If you plan on doing the rhinoplasty so it changes your smile you will be unhappy no matter how good the result is because the surgery cannot change the way you move the muscles when you smile.
	
	I hope you realize that this format of posting questions and receiving answers lacks the face to face direct communication required for you to make an informed decision regarding your surgery.
	
	My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty will not improve your smile. I agree with the description of your nose, and those things could be fixed, if you were unhappy with your nose. But do not change your nose because you think it will improve your smile.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty for bump and profile refinement, and reducing bulbous tip can be done and improve your appearance. The cost is $6-8,000 and don't shop price. Go to a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon for the best results.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The facial expression demonstrated in the photo shows the nasal tip depressed by the facial muscle action.  This would not be effected by a rhinoplasty.  If you a pleased with your nose when the face is neutral, I would not suggest a rhinoplasty.

Does the Droopy Tip of my Nose Affect my Smile? And if So, Will Getting a Nose Job Fix This? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for bump and profile refinement, and reducing bulbous tip.

Answer: Rhinoplasty for bump and profile refinement, and reducing bulbous tip.

Answer: A rhinoplasty will not effect facial dynamics.

Answer: A rhinoplasty will not effect facial dynamics.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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

Does the Droopy Tip of my Nose Affect my Smile? And if So, Will Getting a Nose Job Fix This? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for bump and profile refinement, and reducing bulbous tip.

Answer: Rhinoplasty for bump and profile refinement, and reducing bulbous tip.

Answer: A rhinoplasty will not effect facial dynamics.

Answer: A rhinoplasty will not effect facial dynamics.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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