Will depressor septi release alone correct my plunging tip when smiling?
By Elekktra, Los Angeles, CA
I am satisfied with my nose except when I smile. My tip goes from a “neutral” ( not upturned but not droopy) to plunging into my smile-this causes me to not smile for photographs. Would releasing mg depressor septi as a stand alone cause an improvement? What would the cost be for this procedure? Would adding a premaxillary implant help this issue? I’d like to avoid a full rhinoplasty. Thank you!
Doctor Answers
Septal depressor release
I release the septal depressor in every rhinoplasty. Seeing the results of this, I can tell you…
- Releasing the septal depressor will help some, but…
- Your nose will still derotate some on smiling. It is impossible to “freeze” your nose on dynamic motion such as smiling
- I agree with the other doctor that your are slightly overprojected, seem to have a little excess tension of your nose, and are slightly de-rotated at rest
- If you are happy with your nose except for the slight amount of de-rotation on smiling, I suggest you do nothing and just smile!
Raghu Athre, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
www.athrefacialplastics.com
