What Is the Surgical Treatment of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a well-known breathing disorder identified by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses vary in length, from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and cause great disruption in the sleep cycle. Patients that are suffering from untreated sleep apnea often wake to feel as though they hardly slept, even though they slept all night.
There are many methods for treating sleep apnea that do not require surgery.
However, you may benefit from the surgical treatment of sleep apnea if:
- Your sleep apnea cannot be corrected with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, alcohol avoidance, smoking cessation, or side sleeping.
- You experience discomfort or pain utilizing mouthpieces.
- You do not experience success or feel uncomfortable using breathing devices, such as the CPAP machine.
The surgical treatment of sleep apnea involves widening your breathing passages by shrinking, stiffening, or removing excess tissue in the mouth and throat, or resetting the position of the lower jaw. Depending on the severity of your condition, corrective jaw surgery may be required.
Nonsurgical Treatment of Sleep Apnea
The use of special bite splints, called mandibular advancement splints, is an excellent alternative treatment for snoring and sleep apnea. Our oral surgeon, Dr. Christopher McGrath, can work with dental medicine specialists to ascertain if nonsurgical treatment is an option for you.
Interested in learning more about obstructive sleep apnea? Click here for more resources.