When nonsurgical treatments for sleep apnea are ineffective and the condition is severe, surgical intervention can be an effective measure.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by ongoing pauses in breathing and/or shallow breaths during sleep that can cause low blood oxygen levels in the sleeper. Because of this, OSA carries serious cardiovascular health risks. Sleep apnea patients usually come to us when a sleep specialist or a general physician has recommended oral surgery treatment for sleep apnea, especially if other nonsurgical treatments have failed, such as the use of a nasal CPAP machine. Fortunately, the surgical treatment for sleep apnea can be very effective and vastly improve your quality of life and overall health. Since OSA is a serious condition, most major medical plans offer coverage for diagnosis and treatment.
Drs. Roden and Alling offer surgical procedures to correct obstructive sleep apnea with the goal of improving sleep and reducing the associated health risks. Our team works closely with other members of our patients’ care teams to develop successful treatment plans that allow our patients to get the restorative sleep they need.
During your consultation appointment, a combination of imaging technology and a thorough physical examination of your nasopharyngeal structures will be used to assess your maxillofacial region and determine the level of obstruction. If you are a candidate for surgical treatment, it will be because we have discovered a correctable physical obstruction of the airway that is causing your sleep apnea.
The medical complications associated with this disorder can be severe and include high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. If you are suffering from any combination of the following symptoms, we suggest you request a consultation with one of our skilled oral surgeons so that he can work with you to create a plan to treat your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms:
Orthognathic surgery may be recommended to increase the size of the airway by repositioning the bones of the upper and lower jaw. This procedure is done in the hospital under general anesthesia and often requires an overnight stay in the hospital.
Please feel free to contact us with any of your questions about our procedures or services. We look forward to helping you get back to health.
