What kind of doctor does rhinoplasty?

Are you considering getting nose surgery and have no idea about the qualifications of a doctor? If so, we are here to give you an answer on what kind of doctor does rhinoplasty surgery safely. First of all, you should know that rhinoplasty is a complex type of surgery that requires lots of skills, precision, and attention to detail. To achieve the best results, it is important to choose an experienced surgeon with years of training and correct qualifications.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of doctors who perform rhinoplasty surgeries and which ones are best suited for different procedures. And if you’re wondering whether it’s safe to get a nose job from a doctor who isn’t board certified, we’ll address that too. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn everything you need to know about choosing the right rhinoplasty surgeon for you.

What doctor does rhinoplasty?

To perform a rhinoplasty surgery a doctor needs to be eligible for this procedure. Several types of doctors who specialize in rhinoplasty can perform your operation, including: 

  • General plastics surgeons
  • ENT specialists (Otolaryngologists)
  • Facial plastic surgeons
  • Maxillofacial surgeons

All of them meet the requirements of a rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty-related surgery. Most of the time it is plastic surgeons who make subtle changes like an artist. They first learn general anatomy and then might opt for one subspecialty like rhinoplasty.

ENT specialists are generally known for their outstanding skills over nose functionality and sometimes they can take extra residencies and are entitled to facial plastic surgeons. And opposite to what people think facial plastic surgeons and plastic surgeons are not really similar. When it comes to maxillofacial surgeons, their skills are mostly focused on rebuilding injured organs including the nose.

what kind of a doctor does rhinoplasty

Here, we will dive into every detail of each surgeon and will give a general idea about how they become an eligible provider for your rhinoplasty operation, starting with plastic surgeons.

Plastic Surgeons

Plastic surgeons are the first ones when we talk about any cosmetic procedure, and we are not wrong actually. They are trained to learn every type of cosmetic procedure by working on human anatomy from toe to head. Plastic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Their main goal is always to give natural-looking results without compromising the function. They can perform surgeries on different parts of the human body including the nose.

Plastic surgeons’ extensive knowledge, experience in various types of cosmetic procedures, and training make them eligible professionals for nose surgery. 

ENT Specialists

Also known as otolaryngologists, ENT specialists are highly experienced surgeons of ear, nose, and throat areas. Most people wonder “can ENT do rhinoplasty?”, and the answer is yes. They are trained for years in diagnosing and treating nasal issues such as sinus infections and nasal obstructions. That alone makes them experts on nose anatomy so that they can perform a complex procedure of rhinoplasty.

When it comes to rhinoplasty, ENT specialists have a unique perspective that emphasizes the importance of both facial features and breathing function. By leveraging their deep understanding of nasal anatomy, they can pinpoint exactly which procedures will improve the nose’s appearance without compromising its functionality. This nuanced approach ensures that patients not only look their best but also breathe easily and comfortably.

Besides, ENT specialists, through their end of education, can take on an extra residency over cosmetic procedures and can become facial plastic surgeons.

Facial Plastic Surgeons

A facial plastic surgeon will give you the best results based on their academic and long years of research in the field of cosmetic surgeries. Their extensive knowledge of neck and head areas combined with the aesthetic perspective help them perform almost perfect rhinoplasty operations.

As much as the title looks similar to “plastic surgeon”, facial plastic surgeons have different backgrounds. Although the years spend in education depend on every country, approximately 10 years of education is necessary to become a facial plastic surgeon.

During these years they first learn how human anatomy works and focus on head and neck areas. After that, they complete some extra residencies and learn cosmetic procedures. Only focusing on the head anatomy and aesthetic desires they are capable of performing rhinoplasty surgeries.

Maxillofacial Surgeons

Maxillofacial surgeons are highly skilled medical professionals who specialize in surgeries that involve the head, neck face, and jaws. They are qualified to perform a wide range of procedures including rhinoplasty. They are not the first ones to come to your mind, and you most probably heard about them in dentistry. That is because their specialty is mostly related to the bone structures of the face.

As they are highly skilled in head anatomy they can take on extra residentships and training over nose surgeries and can become rhinoplasty surgeons. If you have ever broken your nose or injured it you must have seen how bad it can get and lots of delicate procedure needs to be followed to fix that. Here come the maxillofacial surgeons. They can nicely repair your nose with reconstruction surgeries.

What kind of doctor is best for rhinoplasty

As we said before, there are different kinds of doctors who can perform rhinoplasty surgeries and there is no best surgeon for any rhinoplasty operation. The best surgeon for a rhinoplasty operation is one who is experienced in nose surgeries, skilled, and who gets his or her reputation from his previous results.

We cannot make a claim like ENT specialists are better than plastic surgeons. It depends on so many factors and the number one factor is the surgeons themselves. Although it is possible to say that some kinds of surgeons are known to be more familiar with some techniques and approaches.

  • Plastic or facial plastic surgeons are both good at sculpting your beauty like painting a picture. You can trust them in your closed and ethnic nose surgeries.
  • ENT specialists are really good at understanding head anatomy. They will give you the best results on your septoplasty and revision surgeries.
  • Maxillofacial surgeons can be your doctor for reconstructive surgery such as a broken nose repair. They are specialized in fixing injured structures and could be your best option in a septoplasty.

The key qualities to look for in a rhinoplasty surgeon

It might be a bit overwhelming to look for a good rhinoplasty operation for your needs that will leave you with sustainable results. You have nothing to worry about. There are some key points to check in with a surgeon:

  • Experience
  • Previous results
  • Communication skills
  • Board certification

You need to find an experienced surgeon in the field with years of experience. The more time spent with surgeries more experienced a surgeon becomes. You can check your surgeon’s previous results which will give you some idea about what you can expect from them.

To understand the procedures and any complications you might come across during the operation your surgeon needs to have clear communication skills. He or she should be able to convey every detail in basic terms.

Another thing to check is if they have board certification. Board certification from a trusted source is almost a must for your provider. Some doctors are even double-board certified. We will explain it in detail in the next heading.

Should I get a nose job for rhinoplasty from a doctor who is not board certified in plastic surgery?

No, you should get surgery from a board-certified surgeon who earned lots of experience in the field and has proven it through these certifications. Getting a board certification means your surgeon served in the nose surgery field for long years, had undergone rigorous training and demonstrated proficiency (1).

As you can see it is crucial for a rhinoplasty specialist to have board certification. Some of the known board certifications are:

Always keep in mind that rhinoplasty is a dangerous operation in the wrong hands. Make your research and use the information we gave you here to find the best surgeon to perform your operation. Hopefully, we could remove any question mark in your head about the “what kind of doctor does rhinoplasty operation” question. If you have any further questions about rhinoplasty contact us! We wish you a smiling face beforehand with your future nose.

References:

(1) Cassel CK, Holmboe ES. Professionalism and accountability: the role of specialty board certification. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2008;119:295-304. Link

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Link

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