There’s no such thing as an ideal nose job. The reality is there’s an ideal nose job for each unique person who wants one. To that end, there are several types of rhinoplasty procedures that can redefine the nose and give a person the shape and proportion they desire.

What is Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty is a complex surgical procedure that adjusts the tissues of the nose in a particular way to create a proportional, aesthetically pleasing nasal shape and/or enhances the function of the nose. The tissues most commonly affected are nasal bone tissue and cartilage, as well as structures like the nostrils, bridge, and septum (the tissue between the nostrils).

Different surgical approaches to accessing and adjusting these structures are what we call different “types” of rhinoplasty, although every type of rhinoplasty has the same goal: to satisfy the patient with a better-functioning or better-looking nose.

Closed Rhinoplasty (Endonasal Rhinoplasty)

The least invasive approach to rhinoplasty is a closed rhinoplasty, also known as endonasal rhinoplasty. A closed approach allows for mild to moderate nasal re-shaping without the need for external incisions to be made. Although this is a slightly less invasive procedure than the more commonly used open approach, it has its limitations. First, not every nasal issue can be solved with closed rhinoplasty, so people who want significant changes to their noses may not be eligible for this procedure.

A closed approach also limits the surgeon’s ability to re-structure the nasal tissue, which can impact the long-term results. This is due to the fact that removing too much nasal tissue can weaken the overall structure of the nose, causing things like a drooping tip or asymmetrical results.

Open Rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty is usually the preferred approach these days for people who want to look and/or breathe better. Open rhinoplasties involve making a small external incision across the columella, the part of the nose between the nostrils, so your surgeon can directly visualize the whole internal part of the nasal tissues. This is especially helpful when addressing issues such as a drooping nasal tip or doing precise work on the nasal bridge.

Open rhinoplasties allow our surgeons to do much more structural work and are the preferred technique when a structural rhinoplasty is recommended. It allows for cartilage grafting to preserve strength in tissues that are adjusted during the procedure as well as high visibility of the affected and surrounding tissues.

Unfortunately, open rhinoplasty is a slightly more invasive procedure than closed, which requires a little extra downtime in some cases due to the additional swelling that results. The incision across the columella can also be visible for up to a year or more, although in most cases this is not a major issue.

Preservation Rhinoplasty

A new technique or approach that is considered by some rhinoplasty surgeons is tentatively being called a preservation rhinoplasty. This approach seeks to preserve the tissues just beneath the skin that are typically removed or restructured during surgery, and rather affects the more foundational tissue deeper in the nose. For example, if the goal is to reduce a hump or hook in the nasal bridge, rather than affecting the superficial one and cartilage, our surgeons would instead resect much deeper tissue to preserve a more natural look.

Learn More About Rhinoplasty in Lone Tree, CO

Our rhinoplasty surgeon, Dr. Christopher Cote, is a thought leader and highly respected facial surgeon in the Denver area who stays up to date on the latest rhinoplasty trends and surgical techniques. If you have an issue with your nose, whether significant or subtle, the surgeons at FacesFirst can help. Find out how a surgical rhinoplasty or other procedure can give you the face you’re confident to put forward in every situation by calling our office or contacting us online today.