While traditional rhinoplasty might be what most people think of when considering modifying the appearance of the nose, it isn’t the only option.

Preservation rhinoplasty is a new technique that offers many of the same benefits as traditional rhinoplasty. It is a technique where Dr. Smith works to retain as much cartilage and bone as possible while improving the aesthetics of the nose.

One of the largest benefits of preservation rhinoplasty is that it creates a fully natural-looking nose. In a world where people want to avoid looking as if they have had surgery, this solution fits the bill where other procedures might not.

What Preservation Rhinoplasty Is

The main idea behind a preservation rhinoplasty is to modify the nose while preserving as much of the tissue as possible.

This procedure demands the use of advanced surgical techniques. The surgeon will change the shape of the nose by removing small bits of cartilage and bone found under the bridge of the nose. Experienced facial plastic surgeons, like Dr. Smith, can reduce the height of the nose bridge without making changes elsewhere.

The Difference Between Preservation and Traditional Rhinoplasty

Many people choose rhinoplasty as a way to lower the height of the bridge of the nose. Those with an arch or a hump on the bridge may wish to have it removed.

During traditional rhinoplasty, patients get a changed nose and reduced dorsal or bridge size. However, some believe the results do not look natural based on the change to the nose’s dorsal or bridge lines.

Since traditional rhinoplasty removes cartilage and bone from the top of the bridge, the bone structure of the nose is altered in the process. So, it can correct an issue like a bump on the nose bridge, but it also changes the lines of the nose.

On the other hand, preservation rhinoplasty retains a natural appearance while changing the height of the nose bridge. Instead of removing bone and cartilage on top, it’s taken from underneath the nose instead.

Because of this, the result from a preservation rhinoplasty may provide a more natural appearance. This makes it less likely that a revision rhinoplasty will be needed.

What to Expect During Preservation Rhinoplasty

Before your preservation rhinoplasty, you should eat a healthy diet and get lots of rest. If you smoke, you should stop six weeks before the procedure, as smoking can make recovery harder. Nicotine decreases circulation and blood flow to the skin, which makes it harder to heal. Someone should drive you to and from the surgery as you will be under general anesthesia.

On the day of the surgery, you’ll speak with Dr. Smith to ensure everything is going well and to answer any questions you might have. At the time of the procedure, an anesthesiologist will give you general anesthesia. The whole procedure generally lasts an two to three hours.

Once the surgery is complete, a small cast will be placed on your nose to protect the area. You will be monitored until you wake up. When it is safe for you to leave, the person driving you can take you home to begin recovery.

Most people think of rhinoplasty or a nose job as a method to change the appearance and shape of the nose. Hundreds of thousands of patients have rhinoplasty procedures each year. Patients vary, but tend to be between the ages of 20 and 50, with a slight predominance in women over men.

Rhinoplasty can be used for aesthetics as a way to balance facial features. However, it also acts as a way to address structural issues which cause breathing abnormalities. There are numerous uses for rhinoplasty, but we will address five of the most common below.

1. Large Nasal Tip

A bulbous (or rounded, enlarged) nasal tip can make the middle third of the face seem unbalanced compared to the rest. Rhinoplasty surgery involves removing or rearranging some of the bone and cartilage to create a more natural and harmonious facial appearance. One of the most popular methods to alter the nose tip is by accessing the cartilage from inside the nose. This has the benefit of minimal to no visible scar.

2. Deviated Septum

The septum is the part of the nose between the two nostrils; however, it also continues to the very back of the nose, and all the way to the bridge of the nose. In most cases, it is in a central location and air moves through each passage evenly. However, genetics or injuries can cause the septum to be pushed to one side or the other.

Active individuals may want to correct the deviated septum to create better airflow and cardiovascular performance. With rhinoplasty, the internal structures of the nose can be rebuilt, which results in a septum that is centered. This can improve breathing, so that it is equal through each of your nostrils.

3. Nasal Bridge Humps

Another use of rhinoplasty is for a bump or hump on the bridge of the nose. When this bump is large, it can make look as if your nose has been broken or can give the perception that your nose is larger than it really is. If the nose has been broken, this can also create a hump or a bump in this part of the nose. Even if you have not had a broken nose, excess bone and cartilage can create the same look. Rhinoplasty can remove excess bone and cartilage to eliminate the bump and reshape the nose.

See our article on preservation rhinoplasty.

4. Nostril Shape and Size

Some people dislike the appearance of their nostrils. They might find them to be too wide, too narrow, or unsatisfying in some other way. Rhinoplasty can be used to change nostril shape, but this is a more invasive procedure since the entirety of the nose is taken into account. Breathing is the primary function of the nose, so the changes that are made for nostril shape surgery can be limited by this factor.

5. Broken Nose

One of the most common reasons for a rhinoplasty that is not only aesthetic, but functional, is repairing damage from a broken nose. This may involve resetting the bones inside the nose, reshaping the cartilage, or both. In most cases, rhinoplasty for a broken nose focuses on breathing function, but can also address aesthetic concerns at the same time if desired.

Final Thoughts

Due to the many uses for rhinoplasty surgery, and the extreme technical skills needed to perform rhinoplasty, it essential to work with an experienced surgeon dedicated to rhinoplasty procedures like Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith has performed thousands of rhinoplasty procedures, and routinely recreates and rebuilds new noses for cancer patients. He is well-versed in all aspects of the nose, from aesthetics, to structure and function. Schedule a consultation today to create a more aesthetically pleasing nose or improve your breathing function.