How do I find out the severity of a deviated septum? Is it causing this indentation? (photos)

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your
photograph, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can
accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your
lower nose. Septoplasty and spreader grafts can commonly be performed at the same time as rhinoplasty.  The best way to determine if you need a septoplasty is with an in-person examination.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after
pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon
and not just a computer animation system. The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Great question! Diagnosing a deviated septum can easily be done during a physical exam. Generally, no imaging is required. However, a sinus CT scan can certainly be helpful if sinus disease is also an issue. This may have been what they were referring to. Regarding your breathing, the septum may be the culprit, but you may also have other areas of concern that require an in person consultation to figure out. It's possible the indent in your nose is from your septum but more likely it's due to overly bulbous cartilage in your tip causing a bulge in that lower region. This would require surgery to correct. Best of luck! 

Asymmetry of the nose and indentations such as the one you point out can be due to either internal or external factors. If you are considering a rhinoplasty and your breathing is obstructed due to a deviated septum I would recommend a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon who regularly performs rhinoplasty. An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will be able to address both issues by performing a septo-rhinoplasty. In this situation an open approach is recommended in order to adequately correct the septal deviation and the external asymmetry. However, it is important to realise that perfect symmetry may not be achievable and some mild degree of external asymmetry can persist after rhinoplasty. I would recommend finding a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who can provide you with the appropriate advice.

Hello,I would recommend getting a consultation with a dual EMT and a plastic surgeon for the best advice on what to do. They will determine how severity of the deviated septum and fix it with a septorhinoplasty if it is desired. Contact a board certified facial plastic surgeon and EMT for the best advice and results. All the best, Deepak Dugar, MDScarless Rhinoplasty ExpertBeverly Hills, CA 90210

 The severity of the  Deviated septum is documented time of the examination or with a CAT scan of the sinuses. The deviation that you noted on the external portion of the nose is not related to the deviated septum in the back of the nose. A rhinoplasty is required to change the shape of the external appearance of the nose indentation, while a  septoplasty is performed in the back of the nose to improve airflow dynamics. Repairing a deviated septum will not change the shape of the nose.

With the speculum, the surgeon can see the septal deviation and then describe it to you.  An MRI would be overkill of the highest order unless performed for the purpose of dealing with sinus issues.  Clearly, from your description of one sided breathing, the septum and surrounding soft tissues are causing an obstruction.  This is addressed in a septorhinoplasty routinely. See another plastic surgeon in consultation; rhinoplasty is one of the most popular procedures and something that every board certified plastic surgeon is able to perform.

Everyone has some form of deviation. Unless it is causing significant breathing problems or causing a significant cosmetic deformity, then it is not necessary to "correct" it.  Your tip seems quite bulbous ( or maybe it's the photo angle).  You would need to be seen in person to examine you and review your goals.