Does a Deviated Septum Change the Appearance of the Nose?

A deviated septum may change the appearance of the nose depending on how severe it is. Septoplasty will help fix the deviated septum, but if you wish to fix the nostrils, that will require a separate procedure. Fixing/lowering the nostrils is achieved with cartilage grafts. I would really need to see additional photos and/or perform an examination to give you the best advice. Please feel free to send any photos to my office and I would be happy to evaluate them for you. My contact info is listed in my profile. Thank you and best of luck to you.

In some patients, a deviated septum can affect the external appearance of the nose. That being said, correction of the septum with a septoplasty procedure is usually only performed for nasal breathing problems or a recent injury. Most insurers will argue that injuries to the nose that happened more than 1-2 years ago do not require treatment to correct the appearance and will deem these issues cosmetic. The nasal obstruction (breathing) portion of the procedure is generally covered by insurance if there is an anatomical obstruction (like a deviated septum) blocking the nasal airway, and the patient's symptoms have not responded to medical management.Be sure to see a septorhinoplasty expert.Best,

The vast majority of patients who have significant deviation
of the nasal septum present with nasal airway obstruction. Many of these
patients have suffered significant trauma to the nose, which often results in
post-traumatic nasal deformities. This type of injury not only effects the
nasal septum, but the nasal bones as well.Under
these circumstances, the appearance of the nose can be dramatically impacted by
the presence of a deviated, nasal septum. The nasal septum is an integral part
of the nasal support structure. When the septum is deviated the nasal dorsum
can become curved and the nasal tip twisted. This can cause distortion of
almost every nasal anatomic structure.The
symptoms that you describe are most likely secondary to deviation of your nasal
septum. Curvature of the nasal septum can cause airway obstruction and the
nasal tip deformity that you describe. Under these circumstances, surgical
correction of this problem will usually require combination rhinoplasty and
septoplasty.If
you’re concerned about the appearance of your nose, consultation with a board
certified surgeon with experience performing rhinoplasty and septoplasty is
appropriate. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that
addresses your anatomic findings and aesthetic goals.