This term refers to surgery of the nasal tip. This region is comprised of the lower nasal cartilages, skin and the septal support. The precise surgery performed will vary with the goals and the specific patient anatomy. Surgery of the nasal tip can be performed under local anesthetic and intravenous sedation. However, the tip has a profound effect on the appearance of the nose and the final result of a rhinoplasty. My personal preference is to perform tip surgery under a general anesthetic in most cases to ensure placement of tissues in the precise position for optimal results. Frequently surgery of the nasal tip is performed as part of a full reshaping of the nose: a septorhinoplasty. This may also include breaking of the bones around the nose to complete the reshaping process. It is best to contact an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to determine if surgery on the nasal tip is all that is required or if another procedure may be of benefit.

Mentoplasty or chin reshaping is a procedure to change the profile of the chin. This procedure may be frequently combined with a rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) to enhance the patient profile. In order to understand if you could benefit from such a procedure you need to understand some basics of the science of how your teeth fit together (dental occlusion). When a patient comes to the office seeking a change in the appearance of the chin, the first step is to assess how the teeth fit together. The chin may be understood as the front part of the mandible, which holds the teeth. If it is in very forward or very retruded position, the teeth may similarly be placed in an unfavorable position. Depending on how unfavorable and any other dental issues, this may need to be corrected. If the dental occlusion is satisfactory and a cosmetic change in the chin is all that is required a chin implant may be a very effective method to improve the appearance of the chin. An incision is made either under the chin or inside the mouth and an implant is placed. If dental occlusion needs to be corrected or more major facial skeletal procedures are indicated, the chin can be reshaped using techniques to break the jaw and reposition the mandible. This is a much bigger procedure than a chin implant with the potential for more serious complications. Procedures are also available to slice some of the chin anteriorly, reposition it, and hold it in a new position. Consider a chin implant if you feel your chin is retruded, weak or asymmetric. Visit a facial plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure. After a consultation you will be able to determine if this is the best procedure for you.

Rhinoplasty in patients of African, South Asian or East Asian origin Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping is widely regarded as one of the most complex cosmetic surgical procedures. The surgeon must have sound surgical skills, a detailed knowledge of anatomy, and a wide range of techniques to treat various deformities. In addition to all these skills, a sense of artistry is needed to combine everything into a balanced aesthetic nose. Balance. Harmony. Proportion. These are the fundamentals of good rhinoplasty surgery. The nose of a patient of African, South Asian, or East Asian origin poses unique challenges to gain a superior result. Many of the analytic tools used to assess a Caucasian nose are not always useful. Typically the alar width (base of the nose) is wider resulting in a different shape to the ala and a wider tip. The nasal dorsum may not be a high as a Caucasian nose. The skin is generally thicker, and different techniques may be necessary to effect changes in the shape of the nose. These are just a few of the differences that must be clearly understood by the surgeon to achieve a superior result. The surgeon must completely understand this type of rhinoplasty and how to use the inherent characteristics of that particular patient and shape of the nose to advantage. It is best to choose a surgeon with extensive experience with this type of rhinoplasty. If such a surgeon is not available in your community, it may be best to search for a surgeon with these skills. Asking the surgeon to show you some of his patient results is the easiest way to determine his experience with this type of complex surgery.