If a person’s nose is shifted to one side or is slightly crooked, they can undergo a rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery procedure to straighten it where the surgeon eliminates some cartilage or bone or moves the tissue physically.
In addition, the nose surgeon may place a splint to hold the nose in position as it heals, similar to the placement of a splint in case of a fractured nose after functional rhinoplasty.
More than a Cosmetic Issue
The degree of nose crookedness depends on the reason behind it. Most crooked noses are merely a cosmetic problem. But in some cases, it can also cause breathing issues.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.
What causes a Nose to become Crooked?
There are two main types of crooked noses. The first type occurs because of a problem within the complex nasal system of bones, cartilage, and tissue.
This occurs due to various causes, including:
- Birth defects
- Injuries, such as a fractured nose
- Severe infections
- Tumors
- Nose surgery
The reason for the crookedness will determine if the nose will be I, S, or C-shaped.
The second type of nose crookedness occurs due to a deviated septum. The septum is the internal wall that divides the nose into two identical passageways. A deviated septum causes this wall to lean to one side which partially blocks one airway. While some people are born with a deviated septum, in others it develops after an injury in others.
Apart from making the nose appear crooked, a deviated septum can also cause:
- Loud breathing
- Nosebleeds
- Issues in sleeping on one side
Consulting a qualified physician to determine the reason for a crooked nose can also help identify the most suitable treatment option for the patient.
Surgical Treatment
While dermal fillers can help straighten a slightly crooked nose, more severe cases will usually need surgery. Rhinoplasty plastic surgery helps address the cosmetic issues of the nose, and septoplasty helps straighten the wall that bifurcates the inside of the nose into two parts.
Rhinoplasty
The two types of nose surgeries are cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional rhinoplasty. The only focus of cosmetic rhinoplasty is to enhance the appearance of the nose while functional rhinoplasty corrects breathing issues.
According to a 2015 study, irrespective of the technique employed, rhinoplasty can successfully straighten crooked noses in patients with or without facial symmetry. Facial symmetry is the similar appearance of both halves of the face.
Septoplasty
Septoplasty helps straighten a crooked nose by reshaping the wall between the nasal passageways. If the patient has a crooked nose due to a deviated septum, the surgeon will likely recommend septoplasty to them. This surgery can straighten the nose while relieving nasal passageway obstructions because of a deviated septum.
The Bottom Line
A crooked nose is a commonly occurring condition which develops due to a past injury or a deviated septum. Around 80 percent of individuals have some form of a deviated septum. The patient should choose an appropriate treatment if their crooked nose is leading to breathing issues or significant cosmetic problems.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.
Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.
