What makes the hump on the nose?
The hump on the nose - commonly referred to as a dorsal hump is made up of a combination of bone and cartilage. The upper part of the hump is made up of bone, the lower part of the hump is made up of cartilage. The cartilage is a combination of the upper lateral cartilages and the septum. Below is a photo of the side profile of a dorsal hump with the bone component of the hump shaded red and the cartilage component of the hump shaded blue.
Why does the hump seem to get larger as we get older?
The dorsal hump of the nose doesn't continue to grow as we get older, but it does get more prominent. This increase in prominence is caused by the gravitational effect on the tip of the nose pulling the nose down. This then accentuates the dorsal hump and makes it more prominent because the tip of the nose is drooping.
Why should I have the dorsal hump removed from my nose?
The reason to have the dorsal hump removed is to allow for you to have a better side profile as well as three quarter view. The improvement in the profile can give you a nose which is much more refined and aesthetically appealing.
How does Dr Robinson remove the dorsal hump?
Dr Robinson removes the dorsal hump of the nose by using either an osteotome or a burr [high speed drill]. The burr is used for removing small contour irregularities and the osteotome is used for removing larger humps. Dr Robinson removes the hump and then improves the contour of the dorsum by ensuring there are no sharp edges on the bone and cartilage which has been removed. Below is an example of the osteotome which Dr Robinson uses.
Where to from here?
If you are interested in having your dorsal hump refined, then make an appointment to come and see Dr Dan Robinson and he will discuss the procedure further. Below is a photo of a patient who has had their dorsal hump removed by Dr Dan Robinson.
