Basic Rhinoplasty — What Materials Are Used for the Bridge and Tip?

When you start researching rhinoplasty, you'll come across many terms — basic, open, tip plasty, and more. Among these, basic rhinoplasty is the most traditional technique: an incision made inside the nostril, through which a silicone implant is placed along the bridge.

This article covers who is a good candidate for basic rhinoplasty and what materials are typically used for the bridge and tip, respectively.

What Is Basic Rhinoplasty?

Basic rhinoplasty involves making an incision inside one nostril and inserting a silicone implant along the bridge. Because the incision is placed inside the nostril, there's little concern about a visible external scar. If the nose itself has no significant structural issues, and there's no need to reduce the nostrils or work on the cartilage, basic rhinoplasty can typically be performed.

If a low nasal bridge makes the eyes look far apart or the midface look empty, augmentation rhinoplasty to raise the bridge can be considered, and it may also have a mild effect of softening the epicanthal fold. That said, results vary by individual.

What Material Is Used for the Bridge?

Different materials are used for the bridge and the tip of the nose. This is because the bridge is made of firm bone, while the tip is made of soft cartilage.

Silicone is the most commonly used, reliable material for the bridge. In some cases, rib cartilage or Gore-Tex may also be used.

What Material Is Used for the Tip?

AlloDerm or Gore-Tex is used for the tip. AlloDerm is made from skin tissue, so it most closely resembles natural skin, though it's less suited to raising the tip significantly. Gore-Tex makes it easier to raise the tip, but raising it a great deal can weaken the overlying skin, so AlloDerm is sometimes used alongside it.

Raising the tip with a Gore-Tex implant can also help prevent the tip from turning red in cold winter weather.

What Bridge Line Is Currently Preferred?

A line where the bridge isn't too high, with the tip rising slightly higher past the bridge, tends to be preferred these days. Since the tip tends to become progressively sharper after surgery, shaping it with a slightly rounded profile helps create a more natural-looking result.

Can It Be Combined with Other Procedures?

The nose sits at the center of the face, connecting the forehead and mouth. For this reason, it's sometimes combined with forehead or mouth/chin procedures (such as forehead augmentation or chin correction for a receding chin) to refine the overall facial harmony. Which combination is right depends on your individual facial structure, so it's best decided through a consultation.

If you're weighing surgical methods and material options, take a look at our About the Director page, and feel free to reach out directly through Book a consultation.

Consultation Information

Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) · 2F Apgujeong Building, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 02-3416-0070 (after hours 070-4027-0070) · Book a consultation

This article is provided for informational purposes only. Surgical and treatment results and recovery time may vary by individual. All medical procedures carry potential side effects, so please consult thoroughly with a specialist.

Treatment Reference Materials

Below are treatment information materials from our previous website (surgery.co.kr). Before-and-after results may vary by individual, and all medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects.