Many people ask what are the different types of noses and what is the best type for a rhinoplasty or nose job? The answer is that from a rhinoplasty surgeon’s standpoint, there are two different types of noses: cosmetic noses and functional noses. A specific cosmetic nose job or a solely functional nose job can be carried out by both an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor or a trained Plastic Surgeon. However, the best is if they are cross-trained so that they have a thorough understanding of the internal anatomy, as well as, external. Some people can be in both categories and have both issues fixed during a procedure.
A specific cosmetic nose would be classified as someone who does not have any breathing problems or functional issues, but wants to change the exterior of their nose. This has many subcategories depending on the anatomy of the individual’s nose. The subcategories are as follows:
- Boxy or Round Tip
- Wide Nasal Bones
- Dorsal Hump
- Asymmetric Nose
- Droopy Tip
- Crooked Nose
Purely functional rhinoplasty is classified as a surgery that works on the issues of breathing in the nose. While breathing issues can actually be a multifaceted issue, sometimes surgery is all you need. The most common issues that can be fixed during a rhinoplasty procedure are in the following categories below.
- Deviated Septum
- An issue with the septum can cause breathing issues from both or one nostril. The septum of the nose is the wall in between both nostrils, and it is composed of both cartilage and bone. When and if humans get a nose injury, the cartilage and bone can shift internally, sometimes in multiple different locations. This will interrupt the airflow because the bone or the cartilage will jut out into the airway and block the flow so less oxygen can reach the brain. Sometimes this can cause a cosmetic problem as well because the septum will deviate so much that it will move the outside appearance of the nose to the side that is deviated.
- Enlarged Turbinates
- Turbinates consist of ball-like structures inside the nose that moisten and humidify the air that humans breathe. The turbinates humidify the air so that the air’s temperature is ideal for oxygen transferring from the lungs to the body. Turbinates can get inflamed and grow in size becoming so enlarged that they obstruct the airway and decrease the efficiency of their humidifying abilities. This can happen due to allergies or can be natural. They will limit the amount of air you breathe and interrupt the amount of oxygen that’s needed for the body.
- Nasal Valve Collapse
- The nose consists of internal and external nasal valves that are narrow cavities. These valves limit the amount of airflow the nose gets. The nasal valves can collapse due to injury or genetics and can become narrower. This will decrease the amount of air significantly. This can also become a cosmetic issue as well and may look like a pinch in the skin from the frontal view. You may also see the collapsed valve if you have a squished nostril.
While other categories of breathing problems do exist such as allergies, snoring, and more they cannot be simply addressed by a single surgery. They interact with many different body parts and can require many different specialists to address the problem properly. Cosmetically, many people can have one issue or a combination of issues that can be addressed during surgery. Some people even like some of the issues that others like, rhinoplasty is very individualized to you. So now that you understand the different types of noses that can be addressed with a rhinoplasty, during your consultation with Dr. Dugar you will be able to describe which aspects of your nose you are looking to change and enhance with his Scarless Nose® rhinoplasty/ nose job.
