Breaking your nose is usually a pretty dramatic experience: you might have heavy bleeding, pain, swelling, and bruising around your nose and eyes that can take a while to disappear. A broken nose can also make it harder to breathe. But one of the most common problems people complain about after breaking their nose is how the injury changes how their nose looks. Poor healing can lead to crookedness and other issues that can be permanent if they’re not fixed with surgery. For people who have a crooked nose or breathing problems after a nasal fracture, rhinoplasty for a broken nose is often the best option.
About Nasal Fractures
People break their noses all the time. Getting into a fight, sports injuries, accidents–all can cause a broken nose.
A broken nose isn’t always serious. Sometimes, it’s just a minor fracture that heals on its own. When the break is minor, ice, time, and over-the-counter pain medications may be all that’s needed for the nose to heal properly. More severe breaks, however, can actually change the function and shape of the nose. The nasal bones may be knocked out of alignment and nasal cartilage can be damaged. This can flatten areas of the nose and cause crookedness. Sometimes, a broken nose that is set properly and within a short time of the break can heal well, without significantly changing the appearance of the nose. A doctor may be able to manually align the bones so that they can heal in their proper position. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, a person doesn’t even realize they’ve broken their nose!
Broken noses that aren’t set correctly or quickly enough can cause lasting breathing problems or affect the cosmetics of the nose and face. If you think you’ve broken your nose, it’s important to get medical treatment right away. In just a week or two, the bones will begin to fuse again. Unless a doctor addresses the break right away, surgery might be the only way to fix it. Sometimes, a broken nose isn’t obvious. If you’re not sure, it’s still a good idea to see a doctor.
Why Nasal Aesthetics Are Important
The nose is one of the first things we notice about someone, and it affects our overall facial aesthetics. A crooked nose changes how the whole face looks and can have a negative impact on a person’s confidence and self-esteem. While a crooked nose doesn’t always have any medical impact, nasal aesthetics are important to most people. After a severe nasal fracture, those aesthetics often change–bones become misaligned and cartilage changes shape. Fortunately, a rhinoplasty for a broken nose can often improve a patient’s appearance and nasal function after a break using proven techniques that create permanent improvement. That can do wonders for a patient’s confidence and self-esteem.
Rhinoplasty for a Broken Nose
Rhinoplasty is a nose reshaping surgery that’s been around since antiquity. It’s still popular today since it’s an effective and permanent method for improving the appearance and function of the nose. People with old nasal fractures often seek out rhinoplasty surgery after years of dissatisfaction. The procedure can help patients breathe more easily and look more like their old selves.
Rhinoplasty for a broken nose uses the same techniques as other rhinoplasty procedures, including cartilage reshaping and osteotomy. An osteotomy is typically necessary in cases where the patient’s nose has been previously broken. It is a technique that involves breaking or cutting the nasal bones in a deliberate and precise way so they can be re-set and heal properly. Many patients are worried about this procedure, but it is actually very common and safe.
Each surgery is different since each patient has unique needs. Rhinoplasty is customized to ensure the end result looks great with the patient’s other features and allows for optimal nasal function. Patients can look forward to a lifetime of great results after their surgery. For patients who have lived with poor breathing and crookedness for years, rhinoplasty can be life-changing.
Choosing a Rhinoplasty Specialist
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex facial plastic surgery procedures a surgeon will perform on a regular basis. For this reason, it’s absolutely crucial that patients choose an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to perform the procedure. A board-certified facial plastic surgeon with years of experience will have the knowledge, skill, and artistry to help patients get the custom results they want. Choosing the right surgeon is the most important decision a patient can make in the rhinoplasty process.
If you’re wondering where to turn to learn more about rhinoplasty for a broken nose, Dr. Edward Buckingham can help. Dr. Buckingham is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and the founder of Buckingham Center in Austin, TX. He is known for his expertise in rhinoplasty and other complex procedures. His patients know that they can count on the best care possible and can feel secure in knowing that their safety and results are Dr. Buckingham’s top priorities. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Buckingham, call 512.401.2500 or fill out the practice’s online contact form.