Although a well-sculpted nose has become an essential feature in modern conceptions of a beautiful face, you can’t forget that it’s an important functional organ as well. Easy breathing and our sense of smell and taste are tied to a healthy working nose. A serious nasal deformity can have a negative impact on one’s quality of life, even if it only causes subtle changes to the actual appearance of your nose.
In some cases, it’s a matter of personal preference as to whether a functional rhinoplasty is advisable. In other instances, it is more than highly recommended. In this post, we’ll discuss some situations where it’s imperative that a patient seek out a functional rhinoplasty.
A Deviated Septum
The septum is the wall between the nasal passages – you probably recognize it as the bit of skin between your two nostrils. Anyone who has ever been severely stuffed up in one nostril knows that it’s preferable to have both nasal passages working at full capacity.
However, it’s possible for the septum to be crooked or otherwise misaligned, which is known as a deviated septum. This can make it impossible to breathe through one or even both nostrils.
There’s no way to fix a deviated septum without a rhinoplasty. Since the septum is made up mainly of cartilage, it is fairly simple for a functional rhinoplasty to resolve this issue. Without this resolution, someone with a deviated septum is at increased risk of congestion and serious sinus infections throughout their lives.
Nasal Valve Collapse
It’s a fun bit of trivia if you know what a nasal septum is. Here’s a trickier one if you already knew that – what’s the nasal valve?
Now, let’s see if you guessed correctly! The nasal valve simply refers to the narrowest part of either nasal passage. These areas are, like the nasal septum, prone to conditions that can cause difficulty breathing and the risk of sinus infections.
In fact, a deviated septum can, itself, be a risk factor for nasal valve collapse. This condition can be caused by other injuries, however, such as a blow to the nose, or even a poorly performed rhinoplasty.
Thankfully, just like a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse can be fixed with a functional rhinoplasty. Indeed, it can be easily resolved at the same time that a deviated septum is readjusted.
Turbinate Hypertrophy
Now this one is a mouthful, and it’s intimidating just to see the term! This term refers to the excessive growth of the bony structures within the nose. The problem here isn’t exactly with your interior nose bones, but rather with the soft material covering them inside your nose, the mucosa.
In some cases, serious sinus infections or natural hormonal changes can cause chronic swelling and growth of the mucosa in the area known as the “Inferior Turbinate” inside your nose. Symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy include congestion whenever you lay down, loud and difficult breathing, and chronic stuffiness and runny noses.
They can get severe enough to the point that they impacts sleep. There is a special kind of functional rhinoplasty often called a turbinoplasty, that non-invasively operates within the nostrils to help reduce a turbinate affected in such a way.
Nasal Fracture
We’ve discussed some complex issues, but let’s wrap it up with something simple. A nasal fracture is just the term for the good (or bad) old fashioned broken nose. In nearly all cases, they’re the result of an accident.
As one can imagine, broken bone and cartilage in the nose can significantly distort its appearance. But the interior rarely fares much better, and a broken nose is at heightened risk for sinus infections and breathing problems.
A broken nose should ideally be dealt with immediately, as it can heal into a permanently disfigured position. Permanent, that is, unless we count what a rhinoplasty surgeon can do. A functional rhinoplasty can reverse the damage to bone and cartilage, helping your breath easy once again.
Choosing your surgeon
The nasal ailments mentioned in this article can cause major discomfort, but a functional rhinoplasty can help you breathe freely again.
If you’re worried about finding a capable expert for a functional rhinoplasty, don’t worry. Just contact us today, and we’ll put you on the path to a perfectly working nose.