Face Last Updated: November 9, 2010

About Nasal Implants

Although Dr. Buonassisi often performs cosmetic rhinoplasty to reduce the size of the nose, it is quite common to increase the size as well. Nasal augmentation rhinoplasty is often requested by patients who inherit a nose that appears to be flat, has a low bridge, or does not project enough from the face. Often times, facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Buonassisi will reduce part of the nose, and augment others with an implant in order to create the most balanced and attractive result.

Dr. Buonassisi is an expert cosmetic rhinoplasty surgeon and will thoroughly evaluate your features, breathing, skin thickness and objectives before recommending the most appropriate technique for you.

There are several ways to augment the nose. In some cases, Dr. Buonassisi will use a septal graft (or cartilage taken from your septum) or from your ear. In other cases, he may recommend using Gore-tex® implant material, which he hand sculpts to create the appropriate size and shape of the augmentation.

Why Augment the Nose

For some people, the most optimal cosmetic result is achieved by changing a variety of the nasal features, including the increasing or reducing the bridge, septum, columella, or base of the nose (if the base of the nose is reduced, this is called alar base reduction, and then done on African American patients, is often combined with tip or bridge augmentation). The structure of the nose may have been broken down due to trauma or repeat surgeries, or the nose features are simply inherited. Nasal augmentation can be achieved with either synthetic or natural materials.

Synthetic Materials (Gore-Tex®) many of us use the brand name Gore-Tex® to describe nasal and facial implants. The actual name is “expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene” or e-PTFE. Polytetrafluoroethylene is commonly known as Teflon®, and many of us are familiar with the uses of these materials in clothing and sporting equipment. Both polyethylene and e-PTFE have been used in medicine for decades and implants made from these materials come in a selection of shapes and sizes. Dr. Buonassisi hand carves the material to create the desired shape and ultimately the appropriate and natural amount of nasal augmentation. Because e-PTFE is “expanded”, it has microscopic pores throughout the material which are large enough to allow for tissue to grow into it, meaning the implant becomes incorporated with the body in a much more natural way. The benefits of Gore-Tex implants are that they do not change or degrade over time, and they can be removed if necessary. The use of any implants material comes with risks, including infection. Dr. Buonassisi will review these risks with you during your surgical consultation.

Natural Materials (Cartilage Grafts) if appropriate, Dr. Buonassisi can augment the nose using pieces of bone and cartilage which he harvests from the septum or ear. The cartilage is then hand carved to create the desired shape.

The Types of Rhinoplasty performed by Dr. Buonassisi include:

• Primary rhinoplasty, when a patient chooses to have cosmetic nose surgery to change the size and shape of their nose
• Secondary rhinoplasty, when a patient chooses to have a revision to their previous nose surgery
• Augmentation Rhinoplasty, when a patient desires a more prominent bridge, or a more prominent tip

Which cosmetic nose surgery is right for you? The most appropriate approach depends on your specific nasal features, your objectives for the surgery and Dr. Buonassisi’s assessment of the risks and benefits of the surgery. During your surgical consult, Dr. Buonassisi will assess your nasal features, clearly explain the pros and cons of each technique, and recommend the most suitable approach for you. Rhinoplasty surgery typically takes from one and a half to two hours, and patients can return home the same day.