Rhinoplasty surgery – also known as a nose job – is a procedure that involves changing the shape, location, or appearance of your nose, or repairing abnormalities caused by trauma or genetics. Frequently, clients of the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery want to know if a rhinoplasty will affect their smile, which is a natural concern when considering any kind of facial alterations. This post will help you better understand if a rhinoplasty will affect your smile and what you can expect from the surgery.
What is a Rhinoplasty?
A rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery performed to change the shape and/or appearance of the nose or repair nasal issues resulting from birth abnormalities, trauma, or illness/infection. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, individuals usually opt for rhinoplasty for various reasons. These include:
- Aspiring to alter their nose’s appearance.
- Dealing with a crooked septum that makes the nose seem off-centered.
- Having a noticeable bump on the nose bridge.
- Wanting to reduce the broad width of the nose.
- Managing issues related to a thick nasal tip, which could be asymmetric, overly projecting, or drooping.
- Addressing various cosmetic concerns associated with the nose.
- Aiming to enhance their breathing ability.
- Wishing for a nose shape that better complements their ethnicity.
Generally speaking, there are two types of rhinoplasty surgeries, each serving different purposes and having different effects.
Closed Rhinoplasty
A closed rhinoplasty is a technique where all incisions are made internally within the nostrils. It is generally associated with less extensive modifications and may have minimal direct impact on the smile. However, individual factors and specific changes made during the procedure can still have indirect effects on the overall facial harmony and perception of the smile.
Open Rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasties involve making an incision across the columella, the strip of tissue between the nostrils. Research has shown that certain procedures can lead to increased teeth visibility during a maximum smile post-surgery. This suggests open rhinoplasty can influence your full smile.
The Nose and Smile Relationship
While the nose and smile are interconnected components of your face, the muscles responsible for smiling are located in the cheeks and around the mouth, rather than directly linked to the nasal structures. Therefore, changes made during rhinoplasty typically do not directly impact your smile.
However, receiving a heavy amount of nasal modifications to the nose – particularly in open rhinoplasty – can indirectly influence the smile. A significant reduction in nose size or shape can create visual contrasts that affect the perception of the smile. Skilled surgeons consider facial harmony during the planning of rhinoplasty procedures, ensuring that any changes made complement the overall aesthetics of the face.
How Long Will Smile Changes Last After A Nose Job?
After a rhinoplasty, you may experience temporary changes in facial expressions – including your smile – due to swelling and bruising. These changes are a normal part of the normal healing process and typically subside as the swelling reduces. Once the healing is complete, your smile should return to its normal appearance.
However, the duration of smile changes can vary from person to person and depend on the extent of the surgery and individual healing patterns. Most patients report that any smile changes resolve within a few weeks to a few months after the procedure.
What Questions Should I Ask My Surgeon?
Rhinoplasty surgery is among one of the most complicated surgeries to perform. Revision rhinoplasty (a second procedure to address unhappiness with the first rhinoplasty) is more intricate than many other procedures and should be performed only by surgeons with extensive experience, training, and background.
Be sure you’re prepared to find out what type of rhinoplasty you’ll need for your individual case, and ask your surgeon about how it might affect your smile – if at all.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Jobs) and Your Smile
While rhinoplasty primarily focuses on enhancing the nose, it can indirectly affect the smile. Open rhinoplasty procedures have been associated with increased tooth show during a smile. However, the nose and smile function independently, and changes made during rhinoplasty generally do not directly impact the smile.
Dr. Kaweski is passionate about listening and providing compassionate and informative guidance to put your mind at ease regardless of the type and reasons for considering a nose job. If you’d like more information about rhinoplasty surgery, schedule a consultation online today or call the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery at (619) 464-9876.
