I Have Deviated Septum and Protrusive Dental Arches. Do my Teeth Affect my Septum?

Question

I have a septum that buckles twice, and my dental arches are protrusive (this only happened after my wisdom teeth came in). I currently have braces and my arches are being expanded. Is there any way that through arch expansion, my septum will start straightening, or will I have to go through surgery to fix it?

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

This will not straighten your septum. In order to straighten a septum that is crooked, a septoplasty would be necessary. Depending on your insurance company, this is a functional procedure that will likely be covered. When performed properly by a skilled surgeon, a septoplasty can greatly improve your breathing and enhance your quality of life. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately orthodontic treatment will not improve your septal deviation or any associated nasal obstruction. To really improve your septal problems and improve your nasal airway you would require a septoplasty or septorhinoplasty procedure to open the nasal airway. I hope this information is helpful. Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Donald Nunn, MD (retired) · Answer

Orthodontics alone will not affect the septum. Sometimes surgical assisted palatal expansion for narrow arches will affect the septum but this usually in sever cases. A formal septoplasty or septorhinoplasty will need to be done separately for nasal deformities. Donald R. Nunn MD DDS Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

I Have Deviated Septum and Protrusive Dental Arches. Do my Teeth Affect my Septum?

Answers (3)