Can Septoplasty/SMD Surgery Bring the Tip of my Nose More Central?

There are many reasons the tip of the nose is crooked. They include a fractured or warped septum, a dorsal irregularity of the bridge of the nose, inwardly deviated upper lateral cartilages, and an entire nasal bone fracture. The septal spine can also be fractured and deviated creating a twisted columella. A septoplasty is an operation to straighten the septum, but on many occasions other additional surgery may be employed, such as a tip surgery, spreader grafts, osteotomies, which are all considered more cosmetic in nature.  

A Septoplasty alone may straighten your septum, but should not lead to significant change in nasal tip position.  The position of your nasal tip likely relates to the interaction between the septum and other cartilages in your nose.  In order to address these mechanics, a Rhinoplasty is necessary.

Dear Ashley_p,    Addressing the position of the tip of the nose (rhinoplasty) can be performed at the same time as the septoplasty and often through the same incision. 

Consider the nasal septum as the midline "tent pole" that may be bent (deviated)


just inside the nostrils (as you show in the photograph),

deeper inside the nose, 

or both.


 If you undergo septoplasty alone, the tip of nose may be remain shifted from midline (asymmetric).  Tip Rhinoplasty at the time of septoplasty needs to be discussed with your surgeon, so that you can learn your options.