Is Your Nose Bent Out Of Shape? Maybe It's A Deviated Nasal Septum

Understanding a Crooked Nose and Deviated Septum

Did you know that many people live with a crooked nose due to an underlying deviated septum? In fact, an estimated 80 percent of people in the United States struggle with breathing properly due to a crooked or deviated nasal septum.

What is a Deviated Septum and How Does It Contribute to a Crooked Nose?

The nasal septum is a wall of cartilage and connective tissue that separates the nasal passages.

A deviated septum refers to a condition where the thin wall of bone and cartilage (known as the nasal septum) that separates the two nostrils in the nose is crooked or off-center. This can create a crooked nasal appearance and may cause one nostril to be smaller than the other —or even completely blocked— leading to difficulty breathing through the nose.

A crooked nose or deviated septum can occur from a variety of causes including a condition present at birth, trauma or an accident, prior surgery, or nostril collapse (also known as “valve collapse”). Symptoms often may include nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, frequent sinus infections, nosebleeds, and snoring. In some cases, surgery such as septoplasty or rhinoplasty may be recommended.

Symptoms Caused by a Crooked Nose or a Deviated Septum

When a deviated septum is severe, it can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow. This causes difficulty breathing – especially during colds, sinusitis, or allergy flare-ups. In some cases, a crooked nose may visibly tilt to one side or create facial asymmetry.

Most septal deformities do not show any symptoms and many patients are not aware they have a deviated septum. However, some septal deformities may cause the following signs and symptoms:

Obstruction of One or Both Nostrils.

This obstruction can make it difficult to breathe, especially if a crooked or collapsed nasal structure is involved. This may be more noticeable when a patient has a cold (upper respiratory tract infection) or allergies that can cause the patient’s nasal passages to swell and narrow.

Nasal Congestion and Sinus Infections.

A crooked nose caused by septal deviation can lead to recurring sinus infections and poor drainage, contributing to chronic nasal congestion.

Nosebleeds.

The surface of a deviated nasal septum may dry out, increasing the risk of nosebleeds and discomfort.

Disturbed Sleep.

Breathing through a narrowed or obstructed nose may affect sleep quality, causing dry mouth, snoring, and daytime fatigue.

Treatment Options for a Crooked Nose and Deviated Septum

For people who experience mild symptoms, over-the-counter and prescription treatment options are available at the local drugstore.

For those who suffer from severe nostril obstruction, frequent nosebleeds or recurring sinus infections, or believe they have a deviated septum, scheduling an appointment for a consultation with an otolaryngologist, or a double-board certified head and neck surgeon, and facial plastic surgeon is recommended. Depending on particular factors pertaining to each patient, the surgeon may suggest a septoplasty procedure.

What is a septoplasty?

A septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to realign the nasal septum improving airflow and breathing. It’s typically used for internal correction and does not alter the outside appearance of the nose.

Although septoplasty procedures do not cause changes to the external appearance of the nose, septorhinoplasty procedures are available for patients who wish to correct the internal alignment of the septum, while altering the external, aesthetic appearance of the nose for facial harmony.

Sometimes external changes are required to help with breathing issues. For example, in a nose that has been traumatized or has had surgery in the past for any reason, it is often necessary to place cartilage grafts taken from the septum, the ear, or rarely the rib, to reconstruct the nose to give it better function. A comprehensive evaluation of the internal and external nose is performed at the consultation, which usually includes a CT scan to examine the septum in its entirety along with the sinuses.

Consultation and Imaging

A detailed consultation with a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon includes an internal and external nasal exam and imaging such as a CT scan. This helps assess the extent of deviation, and any nasal bone misalignment contributing to a crooked nose.

Is Surgery for a Deviated Septum Causing a Crooked Nose Covered by Insurance?

Depending on the severity of symptoms and your diagnosis, part or all of the surgical cost to correct a deviated septum may be covered by insurance. This is especially true if your crooked nose is causing functional breathing problems.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re struggling with a crooked nose, breathing issues, or recurring sinus problems, it may be time to speak with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. At Pacific Head & Neck, we offer both functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty options to restore form and function.

For more information about functional septorhinoplasty procedures, please schedule a consultation at Pacific Head & Neck or contact us at 310-477-5558.

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