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Sleep apnea refers to a disorder in which patients experience pauses (apneas) in breathing during sleep. Apneas develop when the airway becomes blocked while a patient is asleep, making it challenging for air to pass into the lungs. Sleep apnea may affect a patient’s long-term health if not diagnosed and treated. Our doctors can discuss your treatment options with you. In some cases, behavioral changes or nonsurgical methods can address your sleep apnea. In more severe instances, you may need surgery.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The most common sleep apnea symptoms can sometimes go unnoticed by the patient because they occur during sleep. It's important to visit an oral surgeon if you or your partner notices the following symptoms or changes in your behavior:

  • Mood swings including depression
  • Loud snoring or choking sounds during sleep
  • Shortness of breath or gasping disrupting sleep
  • Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
  • Struggling to remain alert and pay attention during the day
  • Sleepiness even after a full night’s sleep

A sleep specialist must diagnose sleep apnea and then will refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, sleeping on your side, using a CPAP machine, or quitting smoking, are sometimes the only solution needed to treat sleep apnea. If none of these options work for you, our oral surgeons will most likely recommend surgery.

Treating Sleep Apnea

For non-invasive treament options we use SomnoMed oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment. 

However, in some cases surgery may be required. 

If your doctor determines oral surgery is the best choice for treating your sleep apnea, he or she may recommend the following:

Orthognathic Surgery. Corrective jaw surgery can reposition the jaws to create a better opening in the airway. This surgery is typically more involved and is thus only considered in severe apnea cases where obstruction occurs at the level of the jaws and tongue.

Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons have years of training and experience resolving sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are searching for treatment, we encourage you to visit our office for a consultation. Our surgeons have years of training and experience resolving sleep apnea. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are searching for treatment, we encourage you to visit our office for a consultation.

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