Rhinoplasty is often thought to be an exclusive cosmetic surgery. However, it may also be a medical surgery that improves the health of a patient. There are two types of rhinoplasties. Cosmetic rhinoplasty, which improves the appearance of the nose, and functional rhinoplasty, which addresses medical issues that may interfere with the function of the nose.
Why People Get Rhinoplasty Done
The shape of the nose may affect its functionality, and this is why patients who undergo rhinoplasty surgery will do it to improve their appearance and the function of the nose. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeon report of 2018, 215,000 cosmetic and functional rhinoplasties were done in the United States.
Functional nose surgery will improve conditions where the shape of the nose interferes with the way you breathe. Cosmetic rhinoplasty will improve the shape and size of the nose as per the clients’ desires.
Functional Rhinoplasty
Several surgeries are undertaken to improve nose function.
Septoplasty
The septum is the tissue that separates the left and right nasal airways. The septum may naturally be too narrow or it can be crooked, which is when the septum is crooked. This may stem from an injury or the natural development of the nose.
You may find it hard to breathe with a deviated septum. If you do not get enough air, you can develop medical problems such as feeling faint. A curved septum can also cause snoring and sleep apnea leading to little or no rest.
Septoplasty increases the space of the nasal passage or the straightening of the septum where it has been curved.
Turbinate Reduction
This is a functional rhinoplasty surgery that involves reducing the frequency of sinus infections. When a patient suffers from a sinus infection and allergies stemming from environmental factors or hormones, their turbinates expand.
Turbinates are shell-shaped anatomy in the nasal cavity. Sometimes called the nasal conchae because of their shape. They are made of bone, blood vessels, and other tissue and their function is to damp the air breathed in and warm it. They come in three pairs of two superior turbinates, two middle turbinates, and two inferior turbinates, which are the largest.
The inferior turbinates may get swollen because of allergens and this causes the nasal cavity to become smaller so that breathing becomes difficult. Turbinate reduction is the reduction of the tissue in the inferior turbinates so that even when they swell, the airflow in the nose is not interfered with. Turbinates will grow again because they are tissues that regenerate. However, they will take a long time before they do so.
Cleft Rhinoplasty
A cleft lip is a defect that is formed in utero before a baby is born. The upper lip will fuse with the end of the nose or part of the nostril, distorting the lip and nose. This happens fairly often. At least one out of every one thousand seven hundred babies born in the United States will have a cleft palate.
If a cleft palate is left untreated, it will interfere with a patient’s breathing, eating, and speaking. A cleft rhinoplasty will create more nasal space and sculpt the nose to look more attractive. This increases the patient’s confidence and the way they view themselves.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Cosmetic rhinoplasty will improve the size and shape of the nose to make it look more symmetrical with the facial features. Cosmetic rhinoplasty will often be carried out on the outside part of the nose.
Some of the corrective measures are:
- Straightening a nose that is “crooked” because it tilts too much on one side.
- Reducing and reshaping the width of very wide nostrils.
- Smooth a large bump or dent on the dorsum which is the bridge of the nose.
- Correct a nose point that is either too pinched by reducing the length of the nose point.
- Reshape a nose with a round tip.
- Reshape an asymmetrical nose.
When one is uncomfortable with the shape and size of their nose, this affects their self-esteem. Cosmetic nose surgeries can increase a patient’s confidence because they feel more attractive.
Choosing a Rhinoplasty Procedure
Your doctor will often advise you on the kind of rhinoplasty that’s best suited for you if what you require is functional rhinoplasty. For cosmetic surgery, you will work together with the surgeon for the best option for you. Your surgeon will discuss what surgery is best suited for your condition, the methods and techniques available, and inform you which one he or she will use.
Open Rhinoplasty
This is when the surgeon cuts into the septum. This technique will cause more obvious scarring but it also enables the surgeon to better see the whole anatomy of the nose giving better results.
Closed Rhinoplasty
Closed rhinoplasty is done in the nostrils. This is a better option for patients who do not want obvious scarring and there is less swelling during recovery.
Tiplasty
This is where the surgeon does not cut any part of the nose but will reshape the nasal end. This shapes a pinched nose edge to look more attractive or a very wide edge to look more symmetrical.
Who Is Best Suited For Rhinoplasty
Anyone can get cosmetic rhinoplasty in Minneapolis as long as their doctor clears them for the surgery. The doctor will recommend a functional rhinoplasty to improve the health of the patient.
The best candidates for a rhinoplasty are people in good health because this reduces the chances of complications arising during recovery. If you do not smoke and understand the implications of getting the rhinoplasty done, you are a good candidate for a rhinoplasty.
Patients with some health conditions can also undergo a rhinoplasty but under the care of their doctor. If you smoke, you can also get a rhinoplasty done, but the doctor will advise you on some changes you may have to make to ensure you are not at risk during the surgery and after the rhinoplasty; during the recovery period.
