Can Rhinoplasty Improve Breathing?

While rhinoplasty is frequently considered for purely cosmetic reasons, many people are motivated by the desire to enhance their breathing. Breathing difficulties may be caused by a misaligned (deviated) septum, enlarged turbinates, a nasal injury, or a number of other factors. With functional rhinoplasty —  which simply refers to a nose procedure aimed at creating functional improvements rather than only aesthetic — Dr. Scott Miller, a board-certified plastic surgeon in La Jolla, can correct the structures causing impaired breathing and ultimately enhance airflow. 

Depending on your needs and the best techniques to achieve an optimal outcome, rhinoplasty can improve breathing by: 

• Reshaping the nose to open up the breathing passages 
• Straightening a crooked septum through septoplasty
• Removing, minimizing, or repositioning any tissue obstructing the airways

In general, your breathing problems may also be caused by factors that cannot be treated with rhinoplasty, such as allergies or nasal polyps. A consultation can help you confirm the most ideal treatment to achieve your goals. If you’d also like to recontour your nose and address aesthetic concerns in addition to your breathing difficulties, Dr. Miller can incorporate cosmetic rhinoplasty into your treatment plan. Your procedure is personalized according to your needs and goals. 

Rhinoplasty offers a myriad of functional and cosmetic improvements while creating more harmony between your facial features. For safe, effective, and beautiful results in rhinoplasty and our other aesthetic procedures, contact Miller Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule a consultation.