At
Your City Dental Care, we believe that sleep apnea surgery is the treatment of last resort
for California residents with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have not
found relief from other sleep apnea treatments. When it comes to surgery
for sleep apnea, information is key.
In OSA, the airways
become obstructed, cause the person to skip breaths and gasp for air. If
methods such as lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, and oral appliance
therapy are not successful in treating sleep apnea, then sleep apnea
physicians may recommend sleep apnea surgery.
There are many parts
of the airway (the breathing tubes) that can be obstructed. For sleep
apnea surgery to be successful, the sleep apnea dentist or sleep apnea
physician must identify and treat all areas with obstructions. For some
patients, this may require more than one surgical procedure.
Here is an overview of
the different types of sleep apnea surgery:
Maxillomandibular
Advancement:
This is a type of orthognathic surgery that moves the jaw forward (the
same principle behind sleep apnea oral appliance therapy). Also known as
bimaxillary advancement (Bi-Max) or maxillomandibular osteotomy (MMO),
it's often accompanied by tongue surgery.
Tracheotomy:
This is when a sleep apnea surgeon creates a new "breathing hole" in the
throat. Patients breathe and speak normally during the day, but at night
they breathe through the tracheotomy tube in their windpipe. It's a
dramatic procedure, but one that's certain to provide relief.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty:
Known as a UPPP or UP3, this is when soft tissue is surgically removed
from the back of the mouth and throat. The tonsils and uvula are
removed, leaving the patient with a "bigger" throat that makes breathing
easier. Laser-assisted UP (LAUP) uses a laser to provide similar
results. Unfortunately, these procedures are not always successful.
Tongue Reduction:
Reducing the size of the tongue can leave more space in the throat and
airway. This may be a surgical glossectomy or somnoplasty.
Tongue Advancement:
Surgery that pulls the tongue and its muscles toward the front of the
mouth. Known as genioglossus and hyoid advancement (GGA), this procedure
leaves more space for breathing in the back of the mouth and throat. It
is most often done in conjunction with other treatment or surgery.
Tonsillectomy and
adenoidectomy:
This surgery removes the tonsils and adenoids, making more space in the
throat for breathing. It is especially useful in treating children's
sleep apnea.
