Common Issues Treated by Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, is a common procedure used to alter the appearance and shape of an individual’s nose. In the United States alone, about 300,000 rhinoplasty procedures are performed each year. These are most common for those between the ages of 20 and 50, with women having about 60% of all nose jobs.

Many people choose rhinoplasty for a more aesthetically pleasing nose, but that isn’t the case for everyone. It can be used to give you a balanced face, and it can also be used to improve the function of your nose. In many cases, rhinoplasty is used to treat both the aesthetic and the function.

Bulbous Nose Tip

A large nasal tip can make the face look a bit unbalanced. However, this can be rectified with rhinoplasty. Cartilage is removed and reshaped from the inside of the nose. Depending on how this is accomplished, it can leave you without any visible scars and provides a more balanced look.

Nostril Shape

Everyone has different preferences in terms of nose shape. Some want theirs to be wider, others want theirs to be narrower, and some have other concerns. Rhinoplasty is useful for changing the nostril shape but it is an invasive procedure as the entire nose needs to be considered. Breathing function can factor into how much the nostrils can be changed.

Nasal Bridge Humps

If you have a hump on the bridge of the nose, it can make it seem as if it has been broken. That’s because a break that goes unrepaired can create a hump. This isn’t the only reason you might have a hump. Extra cartilage can also lead to this issue. The excess bone and cartilage can be removed and the nose reshaped to give you the look you want.

Broken Nose

The most common non-cosmetic reason to have a rhinoplasty is likely to repair damage from a break. This can be done in several ways, such as resetting the broken bones in the nose or reshaping the cartilage to match the rest of your nose and face.

When you have a broken nose and choose to get rhinoplasty, the focus is often on offering the best breathing function, more than the aesthetics of the repair. These types of procedures are known as corrective functional rhinoplasty.

Deviated Septum

The cartilage that runs between the nostrils is known as the septum. It should be in a central position so each of the air passages is approximately the same size. Injuries like broken noses can cause the septum to be moved to one side. Some people are also born without evenly sized passages. Rhinoplasty can be used to correct the issue and make your septum centered.

Wrapping Up

Are you considering rhinoplasty for aesthetic or functional reasons? It’s a complex surgery, which can be used and approached in many different ways. As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sand has performed thousands of rhinoplasties. And he and his staff will be happy to answer any questions you have. Get in touch!