What Is Rhinoplasty?
It is a cosmetic nasal surgery that improves the appearance of your nose. The surgery concerns contouring and reshaping the nose to adopt a desirable appearance, usually one that accentuates the rest of your facial features. It means that such a procedure can increase or reduce the size of your nose accordingly, to improve its appearance. However, it does not mean that rhinoplasty focuses solely on the aesthetics of your nose.
Instead, the surgeon should only improve the appearance of your nose relative to its optimal functionality. In that way, even patients who have needs other than aesthetics can benefit from rhinoplasty. For instance, you can base your surgical goals on improving your breathing while elevating your facial appearance.
How Do Surgeons Perform Maxillofacial Surgery?
Maxillofacial surgeons are specialists in handling various injuries and conditions concerning the neck, mouth, jaw, head, and face. It means that they can handle plenty of issues in your facial alignment and overall appearance. Their area of expertise is not only on treating or correcting underlying problems but also on performing cosmetic modifications. Some of the maxillofacial surgeries that surgeons perform are:
- Implantation surgeries – to install dental implants in the jawbone.
- Wisdom tooth removal – particularly impacted wisdom teeth that remain stuck underneath the gums.
- Oral reconstructive surgery – to improve multiple oral features in your smile.
- Oral cancer – maxillofacial surgeons can treat oral cancers and cancers of the head and neck.
- Cleft lip and palate surgeries – for both cosmetic and health benefits.
- Jaw deformities and dysfunctions – including broken jaws, chronic temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), misaligned jaws, dislocated discs, to mention a few. The surgeons can also shave jaws to create desired aesthetic appeal.
Maxillofacial surgeons can handle many problems regarding your facial framework. The problems can occur due to injuries and traumas or be consequences of developmental deformities.
Can Maxillofacial Surgeons Perform Rhinoplasty?
Yes! As long as they are board-certified and experienced in nose contouring, oral and
maxillofacial surgeons in Munster can perform rhinoplasty. During the last two decades of the 21st century, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have incorporated aesthetic nasal surgery into their treatment protocols. It means that other than concerns of your oral cavity, an oral surgeon at Family Dental Care – Munster can perform a rhinoplasty to improve the appearance of your nose.
Rhinoplasty Procedure
The procedure for modifying your nose will follow the treatment plan that your surgeon develops to suit your needs and preferences. The steps of the procedure involve:
- Sedation and numbing – it will depend on the length of the procedure and the complexity of the problem. Your surgeon will either place you under general anesthesia or administer local anesthesia and a different type of sedation. The goal is to keep you calm and relaxed throughout your treatment.
- A cosmetic incision – is a small cut at the base of your nose, in between your nostrils. The cut will allow the surgeon to access the bone and cartilage of your nose, adjusting them accordingly. Based on your desired goals, the present cartilage may be enough for your procedure or not. If not, the surgeon will use donor cartilage from a different source. Sometimes implants may be necessary, particularly after accidents that cause significant bone and cartilage damage.
- Repositioning the skin tissue – after all the necessary modifications, the surgeon completes the procedure by positioning the skin tissue flap back in its place. Stitching is usually necessary to hold the tissue in place.
Recovering After Rhinoplasty
The surgery may take a toll on your physical health if you do not follow the guidelines that your surgeon stipulates for recovery. You will need to keep taking your medication to help manage your pain and swelling during your recovery period. Other tips to speed up and ease your healing are:
- Keep your head elevated even when sleeping.
- Change the gauze accordingly to prevent infection on the surgical site.
- Avoid strenuous facial activity – including blowing your nose with intense facial expressions.
- Be gentle when brushing your teeth – to avoid upper-lip movement as much as possible.
Use sunscreen – with SPF 30, which will help prevent discoloration on your nose.
