Can Rhinoplasty Correct a Protruding Mouth? – Case in Korea

Can Rhinoplasty Correct a Protruding Mouth? – Case in Korea

Hello, this is Dr. Cha-Young Kang, head surgeon at Nose Lab Clinic.

Many patients wonder if rhinoplasty can improve the appearance of a protruding mouth. The answer is yes. By adjusting the nasal tip and the nasolabial angle, rhinoplasty can enhance the harmony between the nose and the lips, reducing the protruding effect.

1. Pre-Surgery Consultation: Design and Analysis

In the pre-surgery consultation, we conducted a detailed analysis of the patient’s facial and nasal structure.

Pre-Surgery Design Consultation: Frontal View, Left Oblique Side View, and Side View

Frontal View:

• The nasal tip appeared bulbous and slightly upturned.

• The nasal bridge was slightly crooked.

Profile View:

• There was a prominent protruding mouth.

• A small hump nose was visible.

• The nasal bridge was uneven.

• The midface (the area between the nose and lips) had a low nasolabial angle, making the protruding mouth appear more pronounced.

Pre-Surgery Design Consultation: Right Oblique Side View, Side View, and Nostril Photos

Oblique View:

• The previously bulbous and uneven nose transformed into a smooth and natural line, enhancing the overall facial appearance.

Nostril View:

• The previously wide nostrils appeared smaller and more balanced after the surgery.

2. Surgical Plan: Tailored Rhinoplasty Approach

We created a custom surgical plan that considered both the nasal structure and the protruding mouth issue.

1. Septal Extension Graft:

• We extended the nasal tip using a combination of the patient’s own septal cartilage and donor rib cartilage. By correcting the nasolabial angle, we expected a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the protruding mouth.

2. Smoothing the Nasal Hump:

• We addressed the small hump on the nasal bridge and evened out the irregularities using lateral osteotomy to create a smooth nasal contour.

3. Nasolabial Angle Correction:

• By repositioning the nasal tip and adjusting the nasolabial angle, we aligned the nose more naturally with the upper lip, reducing the protruding mouth appearance. This technique allows the nose and lips to sit in harmony, improving the overall balance of the face.

3. Post-Surgery Changes: Immediate Results

Immediately after surgery, the patient experienced visible changes:

Frontal view before surgery (left) after surgery (right)

Frontal View:

• The bulbous nasal tip was reshaped into a sharper, more refined form, and the upturned appearance was corrected. This gave the patient a more sophisticated look.

Side profile view before surgery (left) after surgery (right)

Profile View:

• The hump on the nasal bridge was smoothed out, resulting in a clean, straight line.

• The nasolabial angle correction successfully improved the protruding mouth.

45-degree angle view before surgery (left) after surgery (right)

Oblique View:

• The previously bulbous and uneven nose transformed into a smooth and natural line, enhancing the overall facial appearance.

Nostrils before surgery (left) after surgery (right)

Nostril View:

• The previously wide nostrils appeared smaller and more balanced after the surgery.

4.The Key to Correcting a Protruding Mouth: Nasolabial Angle

The nasolabial angle is a critical factor in rhinoplasty, especially when it comes to improving the appearance of a protruding mouth.

This angle refers to the relationship between the nasal tip and the upper lip. Adjusting this angle can significantly improve the appearance of the mouth, helping to reduce the protruding effect.

The ideal nasolabial angle is slightly different for men and women:

• For men, the ideal angle is about 90 degrees.

• For women, a more natural look is achieved with an angle of around 95 degrees.

By achieving the correct nasolabial angle, we can create the illusion that the mouth is less prominent or more balanced with the rest of the face.

5. Post-Surgery Photos and Conclusion

Photos taken immediately after surgery, frontal view, 45-angle view, and side profile.

Photo of the nostrils

After surgery, the balance between the nose and lips was adjusted to an ideal nasolabial angle, which led to a significant improvement in the appearance of the protruding mouth.

The lowered nasal tip and the improved facial balance resulted in a more sophisticated and harmonious look for the patient.

For anyone struggling with a similar issue, consulting a rhinoplasty specialist can provide effective solutions. As rhinoplasty doesn’t just change the shape of the nose but also affects the overall facial harmony, it requires careful and thoughtful planning.

If you're considering rhinoplasty to address similar concerns, we encourage you to seek a consultation to explore your options.

Thank you for reading.

This has been Dr. Cha-Young Kang, head surgeon at Nose Lab Clinic. Nose Lab performs all surgeries using the closed rhinoplasty approach.

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