Sleep Apnea - Surgical Options Sleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of people all across the United States. When you have sleep apnea, getting quality sleep can seem impossible. With sleep apnea, your breathing is interrupted for several seconds, several times a night. This causes you to wake up, even if you do not know it. When you wake up, you often feel more exhausted than when you went to bed. Not only are you extremely tired, but sleep apnea can lead to difficulty concentrating, trouble controlling your emotions, and falling asleep during the day. It can even lead to serious medical issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and more. Treating sleep apnea is essential for allowing you to get the sleep you need. In more serious cases, surgical treatment may be necessary. Dental Arts of Frederick can help. Nasal SurgeryNasal surgery is performed to eliminate a nasal obstruction. The three common areas that can lead to an obstruction include the septum, the nasal valve, and the turbinates. A septoplasty and turbinate reduction are common procedures that involve straightening the septum and reducing the size of the turbinates. For those suffering from nasal valve collapse, the deviated cartilage can be removed and then placed to strengthen the valve and prevent collapse. UPPPA uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP, is the most common sleep apnea surgery performed. It is performed to remove excess tissue from the pharynx and soft palate. If still present, the tonsils are also removed. After surgery, the wounds are sutured closed to help the airway remain open and to prevent collapse. This procedure helps to alleviate snoring. Soft Palate InsertsSoft palate inserts, also called the Pillar procedure, involves placing 3 rods into the soft palate. These rods trigger an inflammatory response that stiffens the soft palate. Because the soft palate becomes stiffer, there is less of a chance that the tissue will come into contact with the back of the pharynx as you sleep, reducing the instance of sleep apnea. Hyoid AdvancementThe hyoid is a small bone that is located in the neck where the base of your tongue and pharynx attached. Many patients who suffer from sleep apnea have an enlarged tongue. As you sleep, your tongue slides back, blocking your airway and affecting your breathing. A hyoid advancement is a minimally invasive procedure that involves repositioning the hyoid bone, which aids in opening the airway and preventing collapse. Tongue AdvancementA tongue advancement is performed to move the genioglossus muscle or one of the main muscles in the tongue. This helps to prevent the tongue from blocking your airway while you sleep. A cut is made in the jaw where the muscle is located. Next, the bone is moved forward and secured into place using a small titanium plate. Lower Jaw AdvancementSome sleep apnea patients have small, narrow jaws that reduce the size of the airway. Advancing the lower jaw helps to enlarge the airway. The procedure involves advancing the bones and securing them in place with titanium plates. The teeth need to be wired shut while you heal. This surgery has a high success rate, but it's not very common. TracheostomyA tracheostomy is a procedure that involves the creation of a passageway directly to the trachea, allowing air to bypass obstructions in the upper airway. A permanent tracheostomy is an effective treatment that is reserved only for patients suffering significantly. When non-surgical treatments cannot provide you with the relief you need from sleep apnea; surgery can help. Call Dental Arts of Frederick today at 301-732-7277 for more information. |
HoursMonday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Providing prosthodontic and dental care in Frederick, Maryland, and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington DC. |
