Technology Improving Toronto Rhinoplasty Results

    TORONTO, ON, April 22, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. As computer technology advances, it is becoming more useful in a variety of medical applications, including nose surgery in Toronto. Dr. Richard Rival (www.rhinoplastytoronto.ca) is increasingly using advanced digital imaging technology to help his patients envision their possible results.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose. While it is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures, it is also one of the most challenging. Along with improving the appearance of the nose, the surgeon must maintain or improve its function.

There are other variables that make this procedure particularly challenging. "The definition of 'improved' varies from person to person," explains Dr. Rival, a Toronto rhinoplasty specialist. "The improvements I initially have in mind might not be what the patient is thinking of at all. With computer imaging, we're able to take a lot of the guesswork out of doctor-patient communication. It's really a win-win for both doctor and patient."

Computer imaging can also help the patient understand how the size and shape of specific parts of the nose contribute to its overall appearance. "Women and men often come to me for 'nose jobs' in Toronto, but they don't always know exactly how their nose needs to be changed," says Dr. Rival. "The computer technology helps patients visualize how changing one part of the nose, such as the tip, affects the appearance of another."

During the consultation, the doctor captures images of the patient's face before surgery from a variety of perspectives, including the front and sides. The software enables the doctor to make adjustments on the screen until the patient sees the results they desire.

Advanced technology is useful for problem solving as well. Dr. Rival explains, "A significant part of my practice involves revision rhinoplasty, which means I correct the work done by a prior surgeon to give the patient the results they had hoped for in the first place. While this disconnect can be due to the surgeon's abilities, it can also arise from poor communication." The computer can be an effective tool in helping patients establish realistic expectations.

Seeing how dramatically rhinoplasty can improve a patient's appearance often motivates them to move forward with their procedure. "When you see your own face in living color with a more attractive, well-proportioned nose, it clearly demonstrates the value of rhinoplasty," says Dr. Rival. "By carefully choosing a highly qualified and experienced facial plastic surgeon, they can feel confident that what they see on the computer screen will closely match their actual results."

Dr. Richard Rival (www.rhinoplastytoronto.ca) is a board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon specializing in nose surgery in Toronto. Dr. Rival graduated with honors from the University of Toronto medical school, is a diplomate of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a fellow of the American and Canadian Academies of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He offers advanced options for primary and revision rhinoplasty patients from his offices in Toronto, Ontario.

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