Questions that are difficult to answer in standard photography like the ideal width of the tip and bridge of the nose, projection in the quarter view become clearer in 3D. The important parts of assessment include the height and width of the bridge and tip, the projection of the chin, and the facial asymmetries that make it impossible for the nose to follow a true midline.
In 3D, difficulties about understanding the appearance of the nose from three-quarter view, with the head leaning forward etc. become a thing of the past. Understanding the shape of the nostrils from the front and three-quarter view is also significantly easier.
One of the difficult things to understand on standard photography is how the changes in the shape of the tip would balance and integrate with the shape of the nostrils and bridge.
Gradual reshaping and the view from a variety of angles in 3D can clarify this.
It is also a lot easier to understand how much de-projection and how much rotation is required to achieve the desired shape, which can then be integrated in the dimensional rhinoplasty approach.
The contours of the bridge of the nose are always asymmetric.
What is very difficult to see on standard photographs is how the bridge meets the cheeks, because they are different on the right and left sides.
It becomes a lot easier in 3-D to turn the image around and understand how much narrowing or widening of the bridge is necessary, how much projection needs to be achieved for a balanced appearance of the nose.
Changes in the width of the base of the nose and rim of the nostrils can be more difficult to evaluate on standard photographs, but become easier in 3D.
This is because the comparison with a variety of photographs is made easier by turning the image around.
When it comes to planning the projection of the nose, and transposing it into a surgical blueprint, 3D imaging can give accurate measurement of the changes, because the 3-D image is sized up unlike standard photographs. I then use these measurements to verify during surgery that the degree of adjustment to the shape and size of the nose corresponds to the plan.
One of the common fears of people approaching rhinoplasty, in particular if the tip of the nose is dipping down, is the thought that they might end up with an upturned nose and very visible nostrils.
Although in standard photographs it is also possible to explain how these changes can be operated, it becomes a lot easier to understand in 3-D that the shape of the nose can be altered to look shorter without increased visibility of the nostrils.
Breathtaking developments from Canfield Scientific bring new levels of accuracy and flexibility to 3D imaging and procedure planning. Learn more
Even the most beautiful faces have significant asymmetries, but there are other aspects that we feel drawn towards and impressed by. Learn more
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