Can I fix a crooked nose without a full rhinoplasty?
Written by Mark Domanski, M.D.
I spent 5 years living in the deep south, and in the deep south they do grammar and diction. So, as a tribute to my surgical professors who corrected my grammar when I was in my 30s, let’s focus on the words “fix,” “full,” and “rhinoplasty.”
“Fix”
If a nose is crooked from birth, it’s not broken, so it can’t be fixed. A crooked nose can be straightened! This is typically done by moving nasal bones which are found in the upper 1/3 of the nose. In the middle third of the nose, cartilage may be added or removed to treat this area. The lower 1/3 of the nose can be addressed by cartilage grafts, suture techniques (intradomal, interdomal, or transdomal sutures), and skin reduction (Weir incisions).
Finally, fixed is not the same as never broken. I think this is an important point as rhinoplasty is a wonderful surgery that can make a huge difference for people – but a rhinoplasty is not a magic wand to undo the passage of time.
“Full”
I have no idea what a “full” rhinoplasty is. Just being honest here. There are closed and open rhinoplasties (I do the closed variation, without the visible scar). Then, there are preservation rhinoplasties which move the hump but do not shave it down. There is also a non-surgical rhinoplasty, which uses a filler to smooth out the bridge of the nose and hide a dorsal hump.
“Rhinoplasty”
Finally, let’s consider the term “rhinoplasty.” Rhino means nose, and “plasty” refers to the ability to mold or alter. So technically any surgical procedure that changes the shape or function of the nose can be considered a rhinoplasty. We will have to make an exception here for internal procedures on the sinuses, turbinates and septum that relate to the internal function of the nose but not the outward appearance.
In conclusion, there are many surgical techniques that can help to fix a crooked nose. Most involve surgery, but there is also the option of a nasal filler which takes 20 minutes in the office. I can also do grammar and diction 😉
Sincerely,
