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is best known as a nose job, the procedure people turn to when they’re unhappy with how their nose looks. However, a rhinoplasty offers more than cosmetic improvements.

Our team specializes in rhinoplasty surgery to treat nasal conditions that interfere with . Let’s explore the types of rhinoplasty and the noncosmetic conditions it can treat.

Types of rhinoplasty

The two types of rhinoplasty include:

Cosmetic rhinoplasty

A cosmetic rhinoplasty is a procedure you choose to improve your appearance. This is called elective surgery because you don't need it for a medical reason. In other words, your nose is working, and you can breathe, so you don’t need surgery to restore function.

During a cosmetic rhinoplasty, we can improve many issues you may not like about your nose, including:

• Reduce its size
• Straighten a crooked nose
• Adjust nose width at the bridge
• Change the position of the nostrils
• Correct nostrils that are too large, wide, or upturned
• Eliminate bumps or depressions on the bridge
• Change the tip of the nose when it’s too large, drooping, upturned, or hooked
• Correct nasal asymmetry

During your consultation, we learn about your aesthetic goals and discuss the outcome you can expect.

Functional rhinoplasty

Functional rhinoplasty (medical rhinoplasty) treats a condition inside the nose that interferes with breathing. The condition may also cause infections and affect your sense of smell.

We can combine cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty, changing the nose’s appearance and repairing medical problems during one surgery.

However, the difference between the procedures is important because insurance companies typically pay for medically necessary rhinoplasty but don’t cover cosmetic surgery.

Rhinoplasty vs other nose procedures

A nasal obstruction is the top reason for functional rhinoplasty. Other procedures can also treat most nasal obstructions, but they're specific and target a single condition or problem.

By comparison, we can repair numerous problems during rhinoplasty. Our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists will determine if rhinoplasty is the best choice over other surgical options.

Noncosmetic reasons for rhinoplasty

Here are seven noncosmetic reasons that nasal problems are most often treated during rhinoplasty surgery:

1. Deviated septum

The septum is the thin cartilage wall separating your two nostrils. It usually runs down the center of your nose, but if it’s deviated, it goes off to one side.

A can block breathing in one or both nostrils. It can also cause sinus infections (sinusitis) and lead to frequent nosebleeds.

A deviated septum often changes the shape and appearance of your nose. During rhinoplasty, we can repair the septum while also reshaping the bone and cartilage to refine your appearance.

2. Enlarged turbinates

Each nostril has several cylindrical turbinates that warm and filter the air you inhale. If these turbinates become enlarged, they interfere with breathing. Allergies and infections most often cause swollen, enlarged turbinates.

3. Nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are soft sacs of tissues in the lining of your nose and/or sinuses. If they get too large, polyps may cause and obstruct breathing. They can also cause sinus and nasal infections.

4. Injuries

The internal structures of your nose may need surgical repair following an injury. You may have a fracture, a tear in the septum, or damage to the turbinates and sinuses.

Rhinoplasty may be a good choice for all these repairs, especially since a nose injury frequently damages the shape and appearance of the nose.

5. Nasal valve collapse (stenosis)

Your nose has two nasal valves that filter the air you breathe. One is located at the narrowest part of the passage, and the other is at the bottom of your nose near your nostrils.

If the valves collapse (usually because the cartilage weakens), they interfere with breathing. Rhinoplasty is typically used to repair the tissues.

6. Cleft lip and palate

A cleft lip or palate may extend to the nose, narrowing the nasal passages and causing a nose deformity. In these cases, your ENT surgeon does a cleft rhinoplasty to reshape and restore the nose and relieve airway obstructions.

7. Concave nasal passages

The nostril may curve inward instead of maintaining an outward curve. As a result, the nostril passages are smaller and tend to collapse when breathing.

today or book a nose evaluation online to learn if rhinoplasty can treat your nose problems.