One of the most common reasons to seek rhinoplasty is having a bulbous nasal tip. A bulbous nasal tip is one which is rounded, and it is found at the nose end. Most of the patients with bulbous nasal tip say their nose is too big or it is too broad. Others see their nose as not having shape and not well defined. When it comes to the width and size of the nasal tip, it should be proportional. The bridge should transition well to the nasal tip. The shape of the nasal tip should be triangular. It should not have sharp angles.
What is the cause of a bulbous nasal tip?
A bulbous nasal tip results due to the shape of the lateral cartilages on the lower side. The lower lateral cartilages are almost the same in size and shape, and they are shaded red. The lateral cartilages support the nasal tip as they merge in the midline. There is the dome area where the two cartilages diverge. It contributes significantly to the nasal tip shape. With the appropriate orientation of the dome cartilage, the nasal tip is soft and triangular. But when the dome cartilage is rounded and wide, it results in a bulbous nasal tip. By comparing the bulbous nasal tip and the normal one, you can see a clear difference. The width is distinctly different.
What is the look of a bulbous nasal tip?
So in a rhinoplasty patient what is the look of the bulbous nasal tip? Noticing a bulbous nasal tip is easy. By looking at the frontal view of the patient, you can notice this. If the first thing you see is the nasal tip region when you look at the frontal view, this is a sign of a bulbous nasal tip. You notice that it is too large and round. You discover that it is not defined. The normal nasal tip should only be slightly wider compared to the upper ridge. But of the nasal tip is bulbous it is too wide compared to the nasal bridge.
Managing the bulbous nasal tip
You can consider rhinoplasty for the correction of a bulbous nasal tip. The procedure is meant to reshape the lateral cartilage on the lower side. The revision makes it soft and triangular in shape and approximate. Here are some ways to correct a bulbous tip:
Suture Reshaping
In some cases, the reshaping can be done with suture technique. Permanent sutures are put on the dome area. The process is done to make the lateral cartilage on the lower side narrow. At the same time, the pair of cartilages is brought closer to each other. The sutures are called dome binding and can work well in the narrowing of the tip and provision of vital improvement to have a defined nasal tip.
The suture technique reshapes the bulbous nasal tip. Reducing bulbosity of the nasal tip is done by carefully placing permanent sutures on both sides of the lower lateral cartilage. When you perform this procedure, the patient gets a refined nasal tip, and the prominent arch is reduced significantly.
Cephalic Trimming
Another alternative technique when performing the procedure is cephalic trimming. The margin or the upper edge of the lower lateral cartilage is what is called the cephalic portion. By looking at the frontal view of the nose directly, it is the side opposite to the rim of the nostril. Imagine if the lower lateral cartilage is too prominent. It would make the nose to be bulbous and broader. In such a case a patient may find cephalic trimming beneficial as it can contribute to the reshaping of the nose. The procedure involves either the removal or trimming of the cephalic edge cartilage which is too prominent. When this procedure is contacted, the lower lateral cartilage becomes less bulbous, and this results in a nasal tip becoming refined.
When performing cephalic trimming, the surgeon must be careful to ensure the right nasal tip symmetry. During the cephalic trimming procedure, you should also not take a lot of cartilage. The lower lateral cartilage should be left at 8-10 mm approximately. It is essential to ensure the nasal tip is supported structurally. By taking away excess cartilage when doing a cephalic trim, you risk insufficient cartilage for maintenance of proper structural support, and this could lead to nasal tip collapsing. When excess cephalic trimming is done, it can result in a nasal tip which is pinched, and this can be noticed months or years after the procedure. However, by doing the procedure correctly, it can result in an improved shape of the nasal tip and maintain the right support.
Cephalic trimming is a process that can assist in reducing a bulbous nasal tip, and it must be done carefully and correctly. You need to trim the right amount of cartilage. If you do this correctly, the results will be a nasal tip that is shapely and defined. As you perform the procedure ensure you maintain adequate cartilage structure to offer support for the nasal tip. If you want a cosmetic enhancement of the nasal tip, cephalic trimming can be one of the best options. It must be contacted by an experienced professional to ensure it is correctly done without experiencing issues of a nasal tip that is pinched.
Tip cartilage grafting
A bulbous nasal tip can also be reduced by doing cartilage grafting whereby the nose is grafted. Grafting is done by taking cartilage from the patient from one region like rib, ear or septum and placing in another area for reshaping the nose and provision of support. Cartilage grafting can be used in reshaping a bulbous nasal tip. The procedure is done by placing the segment of the cartilage under the lateral crus. It is done to ensure the nasal tip area is reshaped. A surgeon can place stiff cartilage on the lateral crus undersurface and suture to the cartilage of the patient. When this is done, the nasal tip rounded contour becomes straight on every side. It results in a more refined nasal tip which is more triangular.
Using combined techniques
In some patients, a surgeon can use a combination of the techniques to get the cosmetic goals desired. For example, it is possible to combine cephalic trimming of the lower cartilage and suture technique. A cephalic trimming can also be combined with cartilage grafting in some patients. It is done by specialized surgeons with years of experience in the industry. Combining these techniques can result in reshaping a bulbous nasal tip.
Experienced doctors like the Glasgold Group can give you the cosmetic results you desire. A group of experienced, board-certified surgeons, the Glasgold Group specialize in facial cosmetic procedures.
If you’re in need of rhinoplasty in Princeton, please visit the Glasgold Group.
