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Sleep Apnea Surgery: Taking Further Measures When Nonsurgical Treatment Fails

When nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), surgery may become necessary. The surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates can carefully refine or remove the soft tissues causing blockage in your airways, or make adjustments to your jaws to keep the airways open while you sleep. Our skilled surgeons use careful planning and advanced technology to provide effective sleep apnea surgery at our Montgomery, AL, practice. If oral appliances, lifestyle changes, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines have not helped you achieve restful sleep, we can determine a solution to meet your needs. Contact Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates today to schedule your consultation.

Candidates for Sleep Apnea Surgery

Surgery is the most aggressive treatment option for sleep apnea. Surgery is only recommended to patients for whom nonsurgical solutions provide no improvement in the ability to breathe while sleeping. These nonsurgical means may include living a healthier lifestyle, losing weight, wearing an oral appliance during sleep, or using a CPAP machine. Surgical sleep apnea treatment has very high success rates for patients who do not respond to nonsurgical treatment. Candidates for sleep apnea surgery:

  • Have been diagnosed with OSA by a sleep specialist.
  • Have tried nonsurgical treatment methods.
  • Are healthy enough to undergo surgery.
The oral surgeons at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates will perform a thorough examination of your mouth and respiratory passages to determine the causes of your airway obstruction. If you are a good candidate for surgery, we can create a custom surgical treatment plan for you.

Types of Sleep Apnea Surgery

The techniques used during sleep apnea surgery depend on which tissues are blocking the airways. Patients may require the removal of some soft tissues within the mouth, the surgical realignment of the jaw bone, or a combination of the two. Techniques include:

  • Tonsilectomy - The removal of the tonsils.
  • Adenoidectomy - The removal of the adenoids (lymphatic tissue located behind the nasal cavity).
  • Jaw Repositioning - The adjustment of the jaws forward, back, or to either side.
  • Tissue Reduction of the Soft Palate or Throat - By removing a portion of the tissues on the soft palate or the back of the throat, our surgeons can widen the airway.
  • Nasal Surgery - The refinement of the nasal tissues, including the septum, turbinates, or nasal valve.
  • Tongue Advancement - The advancement of the tongue muscles forward to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.
  • Tongue Base Reduction - The reduction of the tissue at the base of the tongue.
Your oral surgeon will explain all recommended treatments before surgery begins, and take ample time to answer any questions you may have. To ensure your absolute comfort during surgery, we will administer local anesthetic as well as general anesthesia or IV sedation.

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The consequences of sleep apnea are much more than snoring and fatigue. Eventually, it can increase your risk of heart disease and other complications. We will work with you to find a way to overcome sleep apnea, helping you achieve restful sleep and safeguard your health. To learn more, contact Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates today.
I wish to thank publically Dr. Ingalls and his staff for "going the extra mile" and not only providing great dental care but also helping a fellow human being out of compassion and caring. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for my family member.

RODNEY H.

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