Rhinoplasty in 
Denver, CO

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is often used to hide mild irregularities on the nose, elevate the bridge, revise a previous rhinoplasty, and camouflage a nasal hump. For minor reshaping, some patients can opt to try an injectable filler to achieve results. These come in a variety of liquid substances, and sometimes a fat transfer can also be utilized. A filler can help add volume to hide small deformities, such as a bump or a bony appearance. It is important to note that fillers can only do so much in the reshaping process. Surgery is a better option for most patients and will offer a permanent solution. Dr. Shah loves to use Restylane and Radiesse as his most common fillers for nonsurgical rhinoplasty.

Tip rhinoplasty is a very common procedure in Dr. Shah’s rhinoplasty practice. The tip of the nose can vary greatly from one person to the next. A nasal tip that doesn’t blend into the rest of the nose or the rest of the face can cause visual disharmony. Nasal tips can be rather bulbous, squarish, round, downward pointing, upturned, pointy, indistinct, shifted to one side, and/or elongated. A tip rhinoplasty changes the appearance of the tip of the nose by either adding, reshaping, or removing some of the cartilage of the lower lateral cartilage. Cartilage grafting from other sources like the septum, ear (concha), or rib may also be necessary to support and define the tip and the nasal valves (internal and external).

Tip rhinoplasty can be performed as part of primary rhinoplasty, but it is often performed just by itself when a patient is comfortable with the upper half of the nose. It is primarily considered a cosmetic operation, but when a previous rhinoplasty turns out subpar, tip rhinoplasty is often necessary to rebuild a poorly supported and functioning tip structure.

The physical makeup of the tip itself varies by gender and ethnicity. With ever-blending populations, people often come into my office with exotic-looking noses that blend their varying ethnicities. Cultural leanings also affect what people might want their nasal tip to look like.

A functional rhinoplasty is a nose surgery designed to improve the nose’s function (i.e., the ability to breathe easily) without significantly changing its appearance. In most cases, however, many patients need a combination of functional and primary rhinoplasty.

Selecting a skilled surgeon for revision rhinoplasty is crucial due to the unique challenges posed by such procedures, including higher costs and specific surgical techniques required for successful outcomes. After all, the issues are often related. Some signs that you may suffer from an inadequate obstructed nasal airway include breathing with your mouth open, having difficulty smelling scents, and nasal congestion. If left untreated, these symptoms could develop into more serious issues such as nosebleeds, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, sinus pressure headaches, reoccurring sinus infections, and even heart disease.

There are internal and external functional rhinoplasty procedures. External rhinoplasty procedures would be used to improve a nose that is collapsed, pinched, deviated, or twisted. In these situations, the general framework of the nose is unsupported or distorted.

Internal functional rhinoplasty procedures, where there are no outer nasal alterations, would include:

• Septoplasty — This is a procedure to correct a deviated septum. A deviated septum is defined by the bending, twisting, or deviation of the cartilage wall, which divides the left and right nasal passages so that one or both are blocked. Septoplasty surgically straightens this wall creating much easier air flow.
• Turbinate Reduction — The turbinates are mucous membrane-covered sections of bone that line the entire length of the nasal cavity. There are three sections: the superior turbinate, the middle turbinate, and the inferior turbinate, which is the last and most likely to develop enlargement issues that contribute to airway blockage. A partial reduction of some of the turbinate tissue is all that is required to unlock the airflow.
• Nasal Polyp Removal — Nasal polyps are small, round growths that are benign but can block the nasal passage. They can be entirely removed surgically. However, they need to be evaluated by a pathologist as they could contain a malignancy.
• Nasal Valve Collapse — The nasal valve is the narrowest part of the nose’s airway and it’s lined with a membrane that are designed to shrink and swell as they regulate air flow. In very thin noses or in noses which have experienced trauma or disease, the nasal valve may actually collapse. Patients with short nasal bones will need middle vault support procedures to correct nasal valve collapse during rhinoplasty surgery.

Preservation rhinoplasty works by respecting the SMAS, complex ligaments, and skin envelope within the nose in order to preserve the natural dorsum. Dr. Manish Shah utilizes advanced techniques as a way to retain as much of the patient’s bone and cartilage as possible while also reshaping the nose for the desired effect. The various benefits and combinations of plastic surgery procedures, such as rhinoplasty, emphasize the importance of choosing qualified professionals for these intricate procedures to achieve natural-looking results.

This approach can provide a more natural-looking outcome for patients. Dr. Shah has been trained by the world’s masters of Preservation Rhinoplasty and is the only surgeon in Denver and the surrounding region who can perform this specialized type of rhinoplasty operation.