Can The Bridge Of My Nose Be Built Up?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 25 year-old African-American male  and I don’t like one particular part of my nose. It is the area at the upper nose that is between my eyes. I have read that it goes by different names including the radix, nasion or glabella..No matter what it is called, it is very deep and I don’t like it. It is unattractive and even makes me look angry. I want it fixed. Is there a specific procedure for just correcting this nose problem? I don’t need a complete rhinoplasty, just this one part of my nose improved.

A: What you are referring to is the height of your dorsal profile in the upper half of the nose. You could call this area the nasal root or bridge as it is appears the way it does due to the low level of the underlying nasal bones. A low bridge is very common in many African-American noses.  There are numerous options to build up the bridge of the nose from injectable fillers to synthetic implants and cartilage grafts. Each has these options has their own advantages and disadvantages. Injectable fillers, often called the injectable rhinoplasty, are best used if you simply want to make a temporary change to determine if you like the way it looks. If not, injectable fillers are reversible as they will be absorbed. A permanent result can be obtained from either a synthetic dorsal implant or a cartilage graft. (septum, ear or rib donor depending upon how much is needed) Most patients opt for a synthetic implant rhinoplasty because it is simpler and does not require a donor harvest site. In an area where the nasal skin is thick, synthetic implants have far fewer potential risks.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana