Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a condition in which breathing repeatedly becomes restricted or briefly stops during sleep.

These interruptions can prevent the body from moving through normal, restful sleep. Many people are unaware that it is happening, but may wake feeling tired, struggle with daytime concentration, or be told that they snore, gasp, or pause their breathing during the night.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health

Sleep apnea is more than a snoring problem.

Repeated interruptions in breathing can place stress on the body and may contribute to problems such as:

• Daytime fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Irritability or mood changes
• Poor-quality sleep
• Increased cardiovascular health concerns

Some patients may also have upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS, where breathing becomes restricted enough to repeatedly disturb sleep even without the same pattern of complete airway obstruction.

Understanding What Is Causing the Problem

Sleep-related breathing problems can have more than one cause.

In some patients, the position of the jaws, tongue, or other facial structures can reduce the space available for airflow. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon can evaluate whether skeletal anatomy may be contributing to the problem.

Your evaluation may include a review of your symptoms and medical history along with imaging of the jaws and airway. In some situations, additional airway examination may also be recommended.

A formal sleep study is generally used to diagnose sleep apnea and measure how significantly breathing and oxygen levels are affected during sleep.

Treatment Depends on the Cause

There is no single treatment that is right for everyone with sleep apnea.

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include CPAP therapy, an oral appliance, lifestyle changes, or other medical approaches.

When a significant jaw-position problem is contributing to airway restriction, corrective jaw surgery may be considered. Moving the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both can create additional space in the airway and may improve breathing during sleep.

Surgery is considered only after the patient’s anatomy, sleep-study findings, and other treatment options have been carefully reviewed.

Jaw Surgery for Sleep Apnea

When jaw surgery is appropriate, treatment requires detailed planning.

Your surgeon evaluates the relationship between the upper and lower jaws, the airway, and the surrounding facial structures to determine how repositioning the jaws may improve airflow.

Because this is a significant surgical procedure, your doctor will explain the treatment sequence, anesthesia, expected recovery, benefits, and potential risks before you decide whether to move forward.

Coordinated Sleep Apnea Care

Sleep apnea treatment often involves several healthcare providers.

Your oral and maxillofacial surgeon may coordinate with a sleep physician, primary care provider, dentist, orthodontist, or other specialists to understand the cause of your breathing concerns and determine whether surgery has a role in treatment.

At Silver Spring Implant & Oral Surgery, the focus is on helping you understand how your anatomy relates to your symptoms and giving you clear guidance about the treatment options that may apply to your situation.