For most patients with obstructive sleep apnea, treatment can be as simple as wearing a custom-designed sleep apnea appliance while they sleep. The appliances keep their airway clear by positioning their jaw in a way that prevents tissues from blocking it. In some cases, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine might be necessary to properly clear the airway. In rare cases, however, an appliance or machine isn’t enough, and to effectively treat sleep apnea, you may need oral surgery to correct the abnormal tissues that are blocking your airway.
Like all forms of oral surgery, sleep apnea surgery is only recommended for the most complex cases, when there no other more conservative options to address the condition. There are many different forms of sleep apnea surgery, and the treatment you require depends on exactly which mouth and/or throat tissues are abnormally sized/shaped. Through surgery, your dental health expert can trim the excess tissues to stop them from blocking your airway, and afterward, you won’t need an appliance or CPAP machine to sleep peacefully.
If your sleep apnea is too complex for an appliance to treat, then you may need sleep apnea surgery to properly address your condition. To learn more, schedule a consultation with your dentist by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-764-1018. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.