Get Directions
Mobile Full Width Tablet Small Desktop
  • Meet The Doctors
  • Procedures
    • View All Procedures
    • Wisdom Teeth Removal
    • Dental Implants
    • Corrective Jaw Surgery
    • Oral Surgery
    • Facial & Mouth Trauma
    • Bone Grafting
    • Snap on Dentures
    • All on 4 dental implants
    • Full Arch Dental Implants
  • New Patients
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Coronavirus Update & Policy
  • (503) 646-7101
  • Meet The Doctors
  • Dental Procedures
    • Wisdom Teeth Removal
    • Dental Implants
    • Corrective Jaw Surgery
    • Oral Surgery
    • Facial & Mouth Trauma
    • Bone Grafting
    • Snap on Dentures
    • All on 4 dental implants
    • Full Arch Dental Implants
  • New Patients
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Call Us (503) 646-7101

When Your Sleep Apnea Requires Surgery

January 11, 2020 3:46 pm

When Your Sleep Apnea Requires Surgery

Sleep apnea is more complicated than just a bothersome snore.

It can be a life-threatening condition with serious consequences if untreated. These can include heart attack, stroke, or an irregular heartbeat. More commonly, it can cause sleeping problems. Like anyone missing out on a good night’s rest, patients with sleep apnea may become tired and irritable during the day.

A Service You Might Be Interested In: Wisdom Teeth Removal

Sleep apnea occurs, not surprisingly, during sleep when the upper airway is obstructed by excess tissue, large tonsils, or a large tongue. The position of the jaw may also contribute. Essentially, the body blocks itself from breathing comfortably.

In the serious cases of sleep apnea, a patient may experience up to 30 “apneas” (a temporary stop in breathing) over a 7-hour sleep period. In the most severe cases, apneas lasting 60 to 90 seconds could occur hundreds of times a night.

The National Sleep Foundation predicts that 18 million adults suffer from sleep apnea, as well as between 2 to 3 percent of children.

There are a handful of common remedies for sleep apnea, including therapy.

For patients with moderate sleep apnea, doctors oftentimes administer a Positive Airway Pressure Device. This is a machine with a mask that goes over the mouth that supplies air. Some patients also use oral appliance therapy, which involves a device similar to mouth guards.

However, for those suffering from the most extreme cases of sleep apnea, oral therapy doesn’t work. As many as 30 to 40 percent of patients see no benefit from therapy. For them, surgery may be their next choice.

Upper airway surgery may involve removing part of the tonsils, throat, or soft tissue.

The most common form of surgery to cure sleep apnea, however, is called Maxillomandibular advancement, or MMA.

It’s considered the most effective and acceptable surgical treatment of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea

This procedure involves osteotomies or bony cuts performed by intraoral incisions. MMA moves the upper and lower jaw forward, along with the soft tissue of the tongue and soft palate, which opens the upper airway.

While it sounds dramatic, MMA surgery is widely accepted as a profoundly successful method to cure severe sleep apnea.

The success rate for the procedure (the proportion of patients for whom the procedure works) falls between 94 and 100 percent.

That said, surgery isn’t universal.

Everyone has different anatomy in some way or another. You should always consult your doctor before moving forward with a surgical procedure.

At Beaverton Oral Surgeons, we guarantee the highest quality in treatment, thanks to our implementation of the best tools in the industry. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have yet to find a treatment that works, it may be time to consider talking to your doctor and coming to see us, where we promise efficiency during your procedure and shorter recovery times. For more information, check out the variety of services we provide.

Procedures

  • Wisdom Teeth Removal
  • Dental Implants
  • Corrective Jaw Surgery
  • Oral Surgery
  • Facial & Mouth Trauma
  • Bone Grafting
  • Snap on Dentures
  • All on 4 dental implants
  • Full Arch Dental Implants

“

Very well-organized, and presented with practical, “hands-on” information on current procedures.

Dr. Mark Coussens - Hillsboro, OR

“

Very well-organized, and presented with practical, “hands-on” information on current procedures.

Dr. Mark Coussens - Hillsboro, OR

Request an Appointment

At Beaverton Oral Surgeons, every patient is unique. If you have a concern, or would like to schedule an appointment, or if you are curious about Oralis, please fill out the form below or call us today (503) 646-7101

Beaverton

Office
3925 SW 153rd Drive #100
Beaverton, OR 97003

Phone
(503) 646-7101

Hours
Monday – Thursday  8am – 5pm

Friday  8am – 2pm

Study Club

Get The Latest Topics & Register For Upcoming Study Club Sessions. Click Here

 

Hillsboro

Office
400 E. Main St.
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Phone
(503) 640-6080

Hours
Monday – Thursday  8am – 5pm

Friday  8am – 2pm

Get Social

© 2023 Copyright Beaverton Oral Surgeons – Oralis. Site by SkEye Studios