Rhinoplasty and Straightening Crooked Noses
The nose is an important facial feature. When it's misshapen, it can make the face look unbalanced. Rhinoplasty can correct the shape of the nose, improving facial balance and enhancing the overall appearance.
One common reason people seek rhinoplasty is to straighten a crooked nose. Straightening a crooked nose can be challenging and requires an experienced cosmetic surgeon, like Dr. David A. Sherris who specializes in rhinoplasty. If you are considering rhinoplasty for a crooked nose and live in or near Buffalo, NY, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sherris.
The Challenges of Straightening a Crooked Nose
Straightening a crooked nose is generally considered one of the more challenging objectives of rhinoplasty. Correcting a crooked nose can be difficult for a couple of reasons.
One of these reasons is that the cartilage and bone that make up the nose can gradually drift back to where they were before surgery.
The other reason is that the crookedness of a nose may also be found in the structure of the face. In other words, the face is not symmetrical and the nose does not sit directly in the middle of the face. This can make finding the midline of the face for straightening the nose difficult.
What Are Some Causes of Crooked Noses?
Although straightening a crooked nose can be a challenge, this is Dr. Sherris's specialty at our Buffalo practice. Straightening a crooked nose may be more or less challenging depending on the underlying factors causing the nose to be crooked.
When considering rhinoplasty for a crooked nose, it's important to understand what may be causing the asymmetry. Some possible causes of a crooked nose include:
- A broken nose or other injury
- Previous rhinoplasty
- Birth defects
- Congenital conditions
- Deviated septum
Straightening a Crooked Nose with Rhinoplasty
In order to straighten a crooked nose with rhinoplasty, the structures that make up the nose need to be addressed. These structures generally include the nasal bones, the cartilage, and the septum.
Sometimes the nose is straightened by reducing or adding to the nasal bones or cartilage. Other times, the septum may need to be completely repositioned. Some patients may even benefit from adjustments to all three.
When adding small amounts of bone or cartilage, it may be taken from elsewhere inside the nose or from the ears such as a septal graft or ear cartialge graft. Bone and cartilage may be taken from other parts of the body such as a rib graft and may be used when larger amounts or a stronger graft material is needed.
Some patients, often those who have a crooked nose due to a healed injury, may only need to have controlled bone fractures, called osteotomies, to reshape their nose. Controlled bone fractures allow the nasal bones to be moved and repositioned during rhinoplasty surgery so that the nose may heal straight.
The Benefits of Rhinoplasty for a Crooked Nose
Of course, the primary benefit of undergoing rhinoplasty for a crooked nose is to achieve a straight nose and facial symmetry. Although this is one of the most significant benefits of rhinoplasty for a crooked nose, there are several others, such as:
- Breathing would also be addressed and improved by correcting a deviated septum
- Correct other problems related to a deviated septum such a nasal collapse
- Add balance to the face
- Improve confidence
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Sherris
A beautiful nose helps people put their best face forward. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, treatment from Dr. Sherris may help. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sherris at his practice in Buffalo, please call (716) 884-5102.
