Crooked, asymmetric or broken nose · Closed rhinoplasty in Beverly HillsA straighter nose,
through the nostrils.
A nose can run off center because of an old injury, a deviated septum, uneven nasal bones or an uneven tip. Dr. Raj Kanodia straightens it through incisions inside the nose, and treats the breathing in the same operation when the septum is part of the problem.
Where the bend comes from
Four places
a nose can lean.
- The nasal bones.Bones that sit off center, often after a break, tilt the upper part of the nose.
- The middle of the nose and the septum.Weakness in the middle third of the nose is one of the two most common causes; crooked bones are the other. A deviated septum pulls the cartilage to one side and often blocks one side of the airway.
- The tip.One tip cartilage can be shaped differently from the other, or one nostril can be naturally smaller. The tip then looks crooked or uneven.
- An injury you may not remember.Toddlers fall on their faces often while they learn to crawl. A mild injury at that age can go unnoticed and still change how the nose grows, so the bend appears in the teenage years.
How it is straightened
The septum first,
then the bones.
Straightening the septum.
Through an incision inside the nose, Dr. Kanodia removes the parts of the septum that are bent into the airway. Cartilage from the septum is then carved into spreader grafts that sit along the middle of the nose. More than one graft on the same side can push the middle third toward the center.
Moving the bones.
The nasal bones are cut low on each side and moved into a straighter, narrower position.
Breathing, in the same operation.
A deviated septum, a collapsed internal valve and swollen turbinates can all be treated during the same surgery. The breathing page explains each one.
Cases from the gallery
Three noses that leaned.
Drag any photograph to compare before and after. Each card opens the full case in the gallery.
BeforeAfterBones and cartilage pushed right by an injury. Septoplasty and a spreader graft moved the middle third left for “some straightening”; bones narrowed.- BeforeAfterSeptum 100% deviated, airway fully blocked. Septoplasty and valve repair with spreader grafts; bones realigned; tip preserved.
- BeforeAfterAn injury pushed the nasal bones together and raised a bump. Hump reduced; tip left in its natural shape.
After an injury
What to do,
and when.
The same day.
Ice the nose, using a glove or a bag filled with ice, and call the office. The nose needs to be checked straight away for a septal hematoma, a collection of blood inside the septum.
Once the swelling settles.
Dr. Kanodia examines the inside and outside of the nose and decides whether it needs surgery or can be managed without it. The cosmetic assessment waits until the swelling has gone down.
Straighter, with a realistic goal.
No nose is perfectly straight. For Patient 8, whose bones and cartilage an injury had pushed to the right, the gallery note describes the goal as “some straightening.” Ask at the consultation how much straighter your nose can realistically get.
Questions
Seven questions about
a crooked nose.
Can a crooked nose be made perfectly straight?
No nose is perfectly straight. The aim is a nose that looks straighter from the front, and the consultation gives you a realistic idea of how much straighter yours can get.
Can a broken nose be fixed with closed rhinoplasty?
Yes, once the swelling from the injury has settled. The bones are repositioned and the septum straightened through incisions inside the nose.
What should I do right after breaking my nose?
Ice it, using a glove or a bag filled with ice, and call the office the same day. The nose needs to be checked straight away for a septal hematoma, a collection of blood inside the septum. The cosmetic assessment waits until the swelling goes down.
Will straightening my nose help my breathing?
If a deviated septum or a collapsed internal valve is part of the problem, both are treated in the same operation. The breathing page explains the three causes of a blocked nose.
What causes an asymmetric nose?
The two tip cartilages can be shaped differently, one nostril can be naturally smaller than the other, or an injury can push the bones or septum to one side.
Does Dr. Kanodia perform revision rhinoplasty?
No. His Beverly Hills practice accepts first-time rhinoplasty patients only. If your nose has been operated on before, you need a surgeon who does revision work.
How do I find out what my nose needs?
If you live outside Los Angeles, book a virtual consultation. It costs $300, is non-refundable, is credited toward surgery, and starts with seven photographs of your nose. Local patients can contact the office for an in-person visit.
Read next
Related pages.
- Breathing.Septoplasty for breathing: septum, valves and turbinates.
- A hump on the bridge.Hook nose and dorsal hump: how the profile is lowered without a scoop.
- A round or droopy tip.Bulbous, round or droopy tip: refining the tip through the nostrils.
NEXT STEP
See how much straighter
your nose can be.
A consultation starts with seven photographs of your nose and a conversation about what you want to change.