Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty

There’s the old (and clichéd) idea about the eyes being the windows to the soul. That’s all well and good, but what exactly does that make the nose? Given how the nose can affect your other facial features and can seem the most prominent part of your face, it seems pretty important, all things considered. Extending this house metaphor with the eyes, maybe we can say that the nose is the paint job of the face. (Or not.)

Adjusting the Look of the Nose Through Surgery

If you have a nose that’s crooked due to injury or a nose that does not complement your appearance as well as it should, it’s important to consider undergoing facial plastic surgery to enhance the overall appearance of your nose. Doing so may mean a subtle yet remarkably transformative change to your face.

During your consultation with Fresno plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas F. Mitts, he’ll be able to discuss the best possible way you can have your appearance enhanced through facial plastic surgery. We’ll also consider the different options for performing the surgery.

Ways of Performing a Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

In general, there are two ways that rhinoplasty can be performed: open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty. Each of these surgeries offers a number of benefits to consider as well as some disadvantages worth noting. Let’s briefly look at these two Fresno rhinoplasty options and what they involve.

About Open Rhinoplasty

During an open rhinoplasty, an incision is made along the skin that is between the nostrils. This incision allows the surgeon the ability to adjust the various underlying structures of the nose. This may involve resculpting the bridge, removing bumps or ridges, and so on.

About Closed Rhinoplasty

During a closed rhinoplasty, the incisions for the surgery are made entirely within the nostrils. There will be no external incision made. Working delicately, the surgeon will adjust the structures of the nose from within.

What You Should Know About the Two Methods

We mentioned that these two facial plastic surgery techniques each have pros and cons, so let’s cover the basics of these.

For open rhinoplasty, the benefit is that surgeons are given a lot of freedom when recontouring the nose and reshaping it. On the downside, the scar on the skin between the nostrils may be visible (though in most cases, the scarring is unnoticeable).

For closed rhinoplasty, the biggest benefit is that there is no chance of visible scarring since the incisions are made inside the nostrils. On the downside, though, is the fact that the surgeon is limited in performing the surgery and there is less freedom for more dramatic sculpting.

Additional Information on Facial Plastic Surgery

Rhinoplasty is not the only option available for enhancing the overall appearance of the face. You can also undergo a facelift to reduce wrinkling and sagging or consider skin care, laser treatment, and dermal fillers to make you look more refreshed. We can discuss all of these options in more detail at our practice.

Find Out More About Rhinoplasty and Facial Plastic Surgery

For more information about rhinoplasty and your many other options for facial rejuvenation and enhancement, contact our Visalia, Fresno, and Mammoth Lakes cosmetic surgery center today.