7 Issues That Ear Surgery Can Correct
Otoplasty can be an excellent solution for those who are troubled by ears that they feel are too prominent, too large, mishappened, etc. During a short surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Bresnick can help improve your facial harmony so that you feel more confident in your appearance. For children, ear surgery, also known as otoplasty or ear pinning surgery, can help them prevent self-esteem issues stemming from the shape and size of their ears.
What Can Ear Reshaping Surgery (Otoplasty) Correct?
Otoplasty is generally performed on children between the ages of 4 and 14 once their ears have fully developed. For the adult patient, the good news is that there are no additional risks associated with ear surgery.
Easily performed using local anesthesia sedation, otoplasty surgery aims to reshape the ear cartilage in a customized surgical procedure that produces a normal-looking ear of the correct size and shape. Whether you are an adult or a child, ear surgery can correct any of the issues outlined below, making your ears look more natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Ear Injuries
Ear injuries, whatever the cause, can leave lasting damage to the ear’s structure, and in some cases, even lead to the loss of the ear. With ear surgery, the injured or damaged ear can be reshaped or reconstructed to create a natural facial balance.
Large Ears
By removing ear cartilage and reshaping the remaining cartilage, ear surgery can normalize the size of overly large ears, making the ears look more in balance with the rest of a patient’s facial features.
Small Ears
While unusually small ears are less frequently encountered than overly large ears, they also may affect a person’s appearance. A patient’s small ears can be resized and reshaped using cartilage from the ribs to be larger and more in balance with the patient’s other features.
Protruding Ears
Although of normal size, some ears may protrude excessively from the side of a patient’s head, leading to ridicule and teasing and body image issues that may damage a patient’s self-confidence. Ear surgery can successfully remove excess cartilage and allow the ears to lie flatter against the head.
Misshapen Earlobes
Through genetics, heavy earrings, or torn due to injury, earlobes can be misshapen for many reasons. Ear surgery can recreate earlobes that are more natural-looking.
Folded Ear Tips
Folded ear tips, also known as lop ear or constricted ears, is an inherited condition characterized by the helical rim of each ear being folded over, presenting a drooping appearance which can also be corrected with ear surgery.
Congenital Defects
In addition to all the above challenges, congenital defects may also cause the ears to appear abnormal. Some examples of these include:
- Microtia: One or both ears are underdeveloped
- Anotia: One or both outer ears are missing
- Stahl’s ear: Outer ear is pointed
- Cryptotia: Upper ear is underneath the scalp skin
Ear surgery can correct these congenital issues and restore a more natural ear appearance.
Ready to Schedule Your Ear Surgery in Encino, CA?
If you or a loved one has one of the above ear issues, ear surgery by board-certified plastic surgeon Stephen Bresnick, M.D. can help. Schedule your consultation by calling us at (818) 981-3333 or contacting us today.