Surgery for a crooked nose
People often assume instead that genetics, a one-time childhood accident or sporting injury is responsible for their bent nose and compromised breathing. And, whilst plastic surgery offers emotional relief and can boost confidence, it is important to understand that in the majority of cases, surgery only masks an underlying health problem.
Unfortunately, many people find that even after septoplasty surgery to straighten their bent septum, their airflow remains unchanged. This is because improving nasal airflow goes beyond correcting the septum alone. The nasal passage is mainly composed of the palatine bones (mouth roof), which make up 70% of your nasal cavity. Without stimulating your mouth roof to widen, a process known as palate expansion, there is little potential for increased air intake.
People need to better understand that having a narrow mouth roof impacts the appearance of your cheekbones, eye sockets, nose, and lips; as the centre of your face is more sunken or “pinched” than its genetic potential.
In short, the narrow mouth roof, which also serves as the floor of your nasal cavity, can hinder both aesthetics and airflow. From an aesthetic perspective it isn’t that breathing solely through your nose directly prevents facial malformations, but that nasal breathing goes hand in hand with correct tongue posture and jaw posture.
How to fix a crooked nose
You may witness for yourself the unlimited variety of procedures for reshaping skin, body fat, cartilage, and shaving down bone offered by the tens of thousands of plastic surgeons throughout the world who claim to treat ‘imperfections’. In reality, correcting posture to nasal breathing and other non-invasive methods can have positive impacts too.
Most importantly, nasal breathing offers numerous health benefits. It improves oxygen uptake, promotes cardiovascular function, and boosts energy levels. It also filters and humidifies the air, protecting your lungs from pollutants and allergens, all while strengthening your immune system. Nitric oxide production during nasal breathing dilates blood vessels, enhancing oxygen circulation. Nasal breathing also soothes your nervous system, promoting emotional balance. However, you may struggle to breathe through your nose, which can negatively impact sleep quality, induce chronic stress, and cause inflammation.
When this situation is corrected using oral growth guidance appliances, your upper jaw grows, leading to several benefits including adjustments to the appearance of your nose. Your nose lengthens, which is a desired trait for those who suffer from short-face syndrome, plus there is additional space above your upper lip and the bottom of your nose. Your lips look more prominent, and the added midface length improves the angle of your bottom jaw, reducing the squareness of your jawline.
Other ways to alter the shape of your nose
Nose Straightening Exercise
Gently press one nostril closed with a finger, inhale deeply then exhale through the same nostril, before repeating on the other side.
Nose Shaping Massage
Using your index fingers, massage the sides of your nose in a circular motion repeating for a few minutes daily. Cheek Muscle Exercise – Whilst keeping your lips closed, smile widely and press your fingertips into the sides of your nose and hold for a few seconds; repeated several times.
Facial Yoga
Partake in exercises that target overall facial muscle tone and contribute to muscle strength over time.