While rhinoplasty is the second most popular cosmetic procedure, there are also several medical reasons for a nose job to be performed. Our noses have a prominent place on our face, which means they’re prone to getting damaged in accidents and during sports. Some people also deal with chronic breathing problems or sinus infections, which may also be corrected with a rhinoplasty.
Every year, thousands of people get a nose job not to improve their appearance but correct a serious issue. The following are common medical reasons to get a rhinoplasty, along with expected results.
1. Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate
This is a common birth defect that is simple to fix through rhinoplasty. It is most often done for children who are having trouble eating and getting nutrition. The clefting results when there is not enough tissue in the lip or mouth area, and the tissue does not join properly during pregnancy. A cleft lip results in a separation of the two sides of the upper lip, which usually extends beyond the base of the nose to include the upper jaw. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth.
2. Chronic Sinus Problems
Millions of people deal with chronic sinus problems, including nasal allergies and sinus congestion. In some cases, the cause of these problems is related to anatomical defects, particularly a deviated nasal septum. In these situations, rhinoplasty can alleviate or eliminate the problem.
This type of rhinoplasty, also known as functional rhinoplasty, does not make changes to the external shape or appearance of the nose but rather fixes internal problems, including a deviated septum or nasal polyps.
Symptoms of a functional airway obstruction that may be treated with a nose job include congestion, mouth breathing and dry mouth. Some people also experience recurrent sinus infections, sleep troubles, obstructive sleep apnea and sinus pressure headaches.
3. Repairing Damage
Thousands of people sustain injuries to their nose in car accidents, sports, and bicycling. While some of these individuals may be interested in the cosmetic aspect of a rhinoplasty, most just want to get back the nose they were born with. A broken nose is the most common injury that may require a rhinoplasty if the nose heals slightly crooked.
Other Medical Reasons for Rhinoplasty
While the above three examples are the most common medical reasons to get a nose job, there are other cases in which a rhinoplasty may be surgically necessary. This includes severe facial burns that result in facial deformation, broken bones around the eye sockets and sometimes even a brain tumor, if it is located at the base of the skull. In this case, endoscopic surgery is performed through the nose.
While many rhinoplasty procedures performed are done for purely cosmetic purposes, it’s important to remember that there is often a medical need for the surgery. In most cases, medically necessary rhinoplasty is even covered by health insurance.