A rhinoplasty or nose job is a plastic surgery procedure that focuses on reshaping the nose to better complement a client’s facial features. There are many reasons someone might choose to seek a rhinoplasty — a hook, a bridge bump, nostril asymmetry and even severe allergies may lead you to a facial plastic surgeon’s office. Since clients’ concerns about their noses are varied, rhinoplasty techniques must also be unique to the particular demands of each procedure. If you have been researching rhinoplasty procedures, you may have heard the term “tip rhinoplasty” — this refers to a particular kind of rhinoplasty procedure with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The expert facial plastic surgery team at The Maas ClinicTM can help you understand the difference between a traditional and tip rhinoplasty procedure.
Traditional Rhinoplasty
A traditional rhinoplasty procedure addresses all portions of the nose. To create a visually symmetrical new nose that fits a client’s face, tweaks to multiple parts of the nose are almost always necessary. For example, you may have a bump on your nasal bridge –but simply removing the bump may throw something else out of alignment. In a traditional rhinoplasty, your surgeon can also straighten your nose or make your nostrils smaller to ensure that the final result is perfectly proportional. Traditional rhinoplasties can also correct severely deviated septums or reduce enlarged turbinates — nasal filtration structures — to help with allergies or breathing problems. There are two main kinds of traditional rhinoplasties. Some are open rhinoplasties, which use an additional incision along the columella (the base of your septum between your nostrils) so that your surgeon can better manipulate your nasal bone structure. Other rhinoplasties are closed, which eliminates the extra incision and ensuing scar but also limits your surgeon’s visibility.
Tip Rhinoplasty
As the name suggests, a tip rhinoplasty focuses only on the tip of the nose. Most tip rhinoplasties are open rhinoplasties because the technique allows your surgeon to alter the tip of your nose in much greater detail, which also reduces your chances of needing a revision surgery in the future. It may seem like a tip rhinoplasty would be a less costly or less invasive option because the surgery only alters one part of your nose — and, if a tip rhinoplasty is right for you, then these could both very well be the case. However, tip rhinoplasties are not a solution for everyone. Achieving optimal results with a tip rhinoplasty can be difficult because of the many factors that go into creating the proportional nose that your face needs. If you have concerns about any other part of your nose — a bump, crookedness or breathing issues — it is not a good idea to “settle” for a tip rhinoplasty simply because it seems like an easier procedure.
What Kind of Rhinoplasty is Right for You?
In general, if you are truly only concerned about the very tip of your nose, a tip rhinoplasty might be right for you — otherwise, you will likely be a better candidate for a traditional rhinoplasty. However, only your plastic surgeon can accurately tell you whether you need a traditional or tip rhinoplasty, an open or closed rhinoplasty or another particular technique. If you are considering a rhinoplasty, your first step should be to schedule an in-person consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate and discuss your nose, your needs and your goals to help you both decide what kind of rhinoplasty will give you your best results. The Maas ClinicTM is a proud provider of premier rhinoplasty surgeries at our San Francisco and Tahoe locations. Corey S. Maas MDTM, our expert facial plastic surgeon, is internationally recognized for his expertise in facial plastic surgery. If you are interested in learning more about our rhinoplasty services, call us today at 415-567-7000.
