A Guide to the Types of Nasal Implants and Cartilage!

Hello.

This is VIVE Plastic Surgery.

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Among plastic surgeries,

eye surgery and rhinoplasty

are the most commonly performed procedures.

In the case of rhinoplasty, before the surgery,

deciding which implant to use

is a very important step.

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[What types of nasal implants are there?]

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The types of implants frequently used for the nasal bridge

include silicone, Gore-Tex, and Silitex.

Currently, the most widely used nasal implant in rhinoplasty

is the silicone implant.

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For the nasal tip, avoiding the placement of an implant

as much as possible

yields better results and higher satisfaction.

Therefore, autologous cartilage is usually used for the nasal tip.

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The types of autologous cartilage

include ear cartilage, septal cartilage, and rib cartilage.

These three types are the most commonly used.

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At one time, Gore-Tex implants were widely used,

but as their disadvantages compared to silicone became more prominent,

they are not used as much today.

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Silitex is an implant that originated from the idea of combining

only the advantages of silicone and Gore-Tex,

but nowadays, compared to silicone implants,

its frequency of use is quite low.

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[Types of Silicone Implants by Nose Shape]

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Implant type for a low nasal bridge

This type of implant

is advantageous for creating the straight-yet-slightly-curved line

that is highly preferred these days.

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Implant type for a nose with a dorsal hump

This type of implant

is slightly thinner in the middle,

making it more advantageous for cases

where there is a slight dorsal hump.

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When there is a hump, we do not shave it all down

and then insert the implant.

The reason is that the surgical method varies depending on

the size and protrusion of the hump.

Since there is a limit to the thickness of the bone,

trying to resolve it by excessively shaving it down

can cause issues such as a perforation on the inside or the bone growing back.

Therefore, the hump is usually trimmed moderately

and covered using an implant.

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Implant type for a nasal bridge that is not low

This implant might be unfamiliar to you,

but it is a type that is low at the bridge and gets thicker towards the bottom.

Usually, when the nasal bridge is not low and the nasal tip is developed and high,

a high implant is not needed at the top,

so an implant that starts thin at the bridge and gets thicker towards the bottom

must be used.

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Because there is such a variety of nasal implants,

the implant deemed most suitable

is selected during surgery, sculpted to fit your nose,

and then used.

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In the past, implants

were placed starting from the beginning of the nasal bridge

all the way down to the nasal tip.

However, in that case, it strongly compressed

the thin skin of the nasal tip,

causing the skin to thin out, or in severe cases, resulting in side effects

where the implant protruded through the skin.

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However, through experience, we have learned

that using autologous cartilage definitely yields better results,

so nowadays, we try to construct the nasal tip

using only cartilage whenever possible.

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[Types of Cartilage Used for the Nasal Tip]

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Septal Cartilage

The cartilage called the septum

is the cartilage that forms the wall right in the middle,

separating the left and right sides inside the nose.

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Its characteristics are that it is usually straight, thin,

and has the advantage of being strong.

Therefore, if the septal size is good and the shape is not deviated,

it is the first-choice type of cartilage.

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Ear Cartilage

Ear cartilage is not harvested from the outer frame,

but from the concave part on the inside.

Therefore, functionally, structurally, and morphologically,

within a range that causes absolutely no problems,

the cartilage is harvested and used.

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Its characteristic is that it is soft and has many curves,

so there are cases where it has limits in extending straight under pressure.

On the other hand, it is a great material

for producing natural results.

However, having curves

is not entirely a disadvantage.

If these curves are well utilized and folded into shape,

the curves fold naturally, allowing a high and strong

cartilage pillar to be created,

which is why we recommend ear cartilage just as much as septal cartilage.

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Rib Cartilage

Through multiple revision surgeries,

if septal or ear cartilage has already been used,

or if both are weak and lack strength but a sharp and high nose

is desired, rib cartilage is chosen.

If your own cartilage is used, it is autologous rib cartilage,

and if it is purchased from a commercial tissue bank,

donated rib cartilage is used.

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Non-implant surgery

is performed using only your own cartilage,

so you can think of it as an implant-free procedure.

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At VIVE Plastic Surgery,

the chief director personally performs the surgery for proper aesthetic results,

and aftercare is also customized to help with a stable recovery.

Additionally, all spaces in the clinic are single rooms,

so you can rest comfortably without any burden after surgery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cartilage used instead of implants for tip plasty?

Cartilage is used to prevent side effects and increase satisfaction. If implants are inserted all the way to the nasal tip, as in the past, they can strongly compress the thin skin, leading to thinning of the skin or the implant protruding. Therefore, it is safer to create the nasal tip using autologous cartilage as much as possible.

What are the characteristics and advantages of septal cartilage?

The biggest advantage of septal cartilage is that it is straight, thin, and strong. It is cartilage located in the center wall inside the nose, and if its size is sufficient and it is not deviated, it is an excellent material chosen as the first priority for nasal tip surgery.

Does harvesting ear cartilage cause problems with the shape of the ear?

No, there are no problems with the shape or function of the ear. This is because ear cartilage is harvested only from the concave part inside, not from the outer frame. It is soft and flexible, making it a very good material for creating a natural nasal tip shape.

Is the hump completely shaved off and an implant inserted during hump nose surgery?

No, often the hump is not completely shaved off but is moderately trimmed and then covered with an implant. If too much bone is shaved, the inside can be perforated or the bone can regrow, so surgery is performed using a hump nose-specific implant that is thin in the middle.

In what cases is costal cartilage mainly used?

Costal cartilage is mainly used when undergoing multiple revision surgeries, when existing cartilage is weak, or when a very prominent and high nose is desired. You can choose between autologous costal cartilage, which is harvested from your own rib cartilage, and donated costal cartilage, which is purchased from a tissue bank.