Can a Broken Nose Be Reset Years After Being Broken?

A nose cannot be "reset", but it can be realigned with an osteotomy. Every alteration in the nose affects other elements. For example, an osteotomy alone might cause worsening of the breathing if it is not specifically addressed.
For the best result, the nose as a whole should be evaluate, the breathing maximized, and the appearance made the best possible.
This is not just a reconstructive procedure like removing a mole. It is an aesthetic procedure and a functional one that requires very careful assessment before the surgery and a plan that maximizes all the elements above.

So when you break your nose you have a small window of about 10 days to do a closed reduction which basically means gently shift the bones back into position.  If you miss that window then you need to wait till they heal and then the bones need to be refractured and repositioned.  This is what you need and it can be done at anytime after a fracture once the bones are healed.

The short answer is. Yes.  A nose that was broken years ago can be fixed.  This is not a quick closed reduction procedure (which is what doctors usually refer to when they talk about resetting the nose).   It would likely require a rhinoplasty to be fixed to help improve symmetry, appearance and breathing.  You should find an ENT who has additional fellowship training in facial plastic surgery and had experience and feels comfortable performing reconstructive rhinoplasty. 

Yes, it's typical in rhinoplasty procedures for the nose to be re-broken and re-set using safe, modernized techniques. In fact, in my experience, the nose needs to be broken in approximately two thirds of cosmetic rhinoplasty surgeries. To achieve the results you desire, the rhinoplasty surgeon would use special instruments to create a controlled and planned break, and then re-sculpt the nose for a more pleasing appearance. With a advanced rhinoplasty technique, you could achieve a nose that is balanced with your facial profile. You should visit a surgeon well versed in this type of rhinoplasty. I recommend visiting a facial plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty procedures.

When the nasal bones initially break from injury, there is about a 2 week window where they are easily mobile and can be pushed back into position without any incisions.  After this period, the bones are re-fused and repair requires "re-breaking" them.  This process is accomplished with osteotomies and entails rhinoplasty surgery.  If you are unhappy with the altered shape of you nose from an old injury, it is probably best to consult with a rhinoplasty specialist.

The duration of your broken nose is not a determining factor on whether or not a rhinoplasty can be performed. Many patients wrongfully assume that there is a set time period during which time a nose job will be most effective, but this is untrue. Because the nasal bones can become re-fused in a way that results in difficulty breathing or crookedness, a nose job can be very beneficial. A qualified plastic surgeon can perform a rhinoplasty on a broken nose no matter how long ago the trauma was experienced. 

Yes, it is possible to fix your nose so many years after it was broken. Many patients have had great success correcting nose trauma even decades after the experience. Best of luck!

It’s not unusual for patients with post traumatic nasal
deformities to present for consultation years after their original nasal
fracture. Under these circumstances, nasal fractures are managed very
differently than they are immediately following nasal injuries. Immediately
after nasal injuries, nasal fractures are treated with a procedure known as a
closed nasal reduction. At this point, the bones are still freely moveable.
This procedure relocates or resets the nasal bones in proper position. They are
then held in this position with a nasal splint.

                  When
patients present years after an injury the bones have usually healed in an
abnormal position. Under these circumstances closed reduction won’t work and
rhinoplasty surgery is usually necessary.

                  At
this point, a careful analysis needs to be undertaken to evaluate both
aesthetic and functional issues. It’s important to make sure that breathing
isn’t compromised by a deviated nasal septum. It’s also important to understand
the patient’s aesthetic goals.

                  Rhinoplasty
surgery can dramatically impact appearance. The procedure is designed to
address the patient’s aesthetic goals and unique anatomic findings following nasal
trauma. In most cases the procedure corrects post traumatic dorsal humps and
increased nasal width. In many cases it also straightens the nasal septum and
nose.

                  In
patients with post traumatic nasal deformities with associated functional
impairment, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate.
It’s never too late to correct these types of deformities, especially if they’re associated with functional impairment. 

A broken nose is actually more commonly fixed after the fact.
A few things:
1. the bones may need to be re-broken
2. you will have to wear a cast for 5-7 days
3. You will have to avoid contact sports for 4-6 weeks after the incident
See a qualified ent, facial or general plastic surgeon and you can get this fixed!

After a long time a nasal bone fracture heals into its new distorted position. When this occurs, the nasal bones need to be re-fractured to be reset into their proper position. This is usually done with small incisions inside the nose.

To fix a broken nose after many years is done by rebreaking the nasal bones and fixing the septum which is probably deviated. This can be done by an ENT or plastic surgeon.