Plastic Surgery for the Nose
The nose is an intricate organ. Its folds handle respiratory functions, control smell and, by extension, our sense of taste, and even serve as one of the first barriers in the body’s immune system. For those reasons, rhinoplasty, or reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the nose, is a complex and delicate procedure. Still, according to statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic rhinoplasty was the second most commonly performed procedure in 2013, in part because it can be performed for more than just cosmetic purposes.
Some patients wish to change the size of their nose to bring it into proportion with their other facial features, or to adjust the width of the bridge or nostrils. Others would be rid of an unattractive bump or depression on the bridge, or change a tip that is enlarged, bulbous, drooping, upturned, or hooked. Some even have noses made asymmetrical by trauma that may require substantial reconstructive surgery. However, nose surgery can also, in some cases, be used to clear the passage into the nasal airway, improving overall respiratory function. A septoplasty can correct a deviated septum, which is one of the most common causes of breathing impairment. Turbinectomy surgery is performed to remove a part of the nasal structure that has become a breathing obstruction, and alar valve cartilage grafts can correct an internal or external nasal valve collapse.
Since the nose is made primarily of softer cartilage, rather than bone, it can be sculpted and shaped to a certain degree by one of our plastic surgeons. The procedure typically involves small incisions inside the nostrils and, if necessary an additional external incision across the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. Optimal candidates for rhinoplasty are adult men and women who have achieved full facial growth. Some teenage patients may have facial features that are not fully developed and still changing, making the final results of any procedure difficult to predict. In these cases, it is extremely important to seek out a highly skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in facial procedures.
If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Plastic Surgery, P.C. or the plastic surgery procedures our providers perform, contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices. Additionally, some plastic surgery procedures can be covered by insurance and we provide a variety of options for financing, including Care Credit®, in order to assist you. Please contact us with any questions you may have concerning the financial planning of your procedure and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news.
