For years there has been only 1 treatment modality for abnormal ears called otoplasy. The main technique involves surgery, cutting the cartilage in order to pin ears back closer to the head. This technique also involves removing some of the skin in order to make it look more natural. Permanent stitches are used to keep the new shape and position in place. There is another surgical procedure called incision-less otoplasty or stitch-less otoplasty which uses “stitches” placed closer to the head and uses general stitches buried in the skin so they can’t be seen. This method is less expensive, but many doctors feel it isn’t as permanent as they’d like and patients end up right back where they started. Until recently these were your only options.
Now, there is an exciting and new option for pinning back ears. It’s called Cartilaze. Cartilaze uses a pain-free laser to stimulate cartilage growth by the ear. Over a period of several weeks, this area begins to develop new cells. These new cells allow the doctor to reshape the ears in a more inconspicuous way. The laser used is cooled at the tip to prevent any pain. At most, a mild sting is felt, but most patients easily bear this.
After the procedure the patient is required to wear a trellis, or headband, for three weeks to keep the ears in place. This must be worn 24 hours a day, with a patient only taking it off to clean the area. After the initial three weeks, the trellis must be worn at night for another three weeks. At the end of the six week period, the ear is reshaped to the patients desired form.
The cost of having Cartilaze done is much lower than any cosmetic ear surgery. The average cost to have a surgical otoplasty ranges between $7000 to $10,000 depending on the geographic area. With Cartilaze there is no need to pay for an operating room, a surgeon’s fee, or even anesthesia. The new laser treatment costs about $6,000, a savings of least $1000. To find out what your exact cost will be Contact Dr. Tang’s office and setup a free consultation.
There is no down time after a Cartilaze treatment, unlike surgery where a person may need a few days off of school or work. With traditional surgery there are some activities that need to be avoided for several weeks to several months. With Cartilaze, there are no restrictions.
Another benefit to the non surgical Cartilaze method for correcting abnormally shaped ears is the amount of time it takes to have it done. While traditional surgery can last for up to five hours, most Cartilaze patients are done in just over two. One treatment is usually all it takes, but occasionally there may need to be a second one to get just the right look someone is after.
If you are bothered by your ears and are searching for the best way of fixing them, surgery is no longer the only option. Non surgical methods are now proving to be just as effective, with no down time, and at a much lower cost. Contact Dr. Tang’s office to setup a free consultation.