When Do We Prescribe Sleep Apnea Surgery?

December 9, 2020

We’ve been talking about the factors behind sleep apnea, and how we may treat it with a custom-made oral appliance. But in some cases, a surgery may be needed to help you enjoy a better night’s rest. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentist will discuss the benefits of treating a disorder like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with surgery.

The Causes and Warning Signs of OSA

OSA means that as you rest, you actually stop breathing until the brain wakes you up. The soft tissues in the throat and in the rear of your mouth become too relaxed and then collapse, which cuts off your airflow. Even if you don’t remember this happening, it could interrupt your sleep cycle and prevent you from obtaining the deep, uninterrupted rest needed to stay alert. Warning signs could include chronic snoring, waking up in the night gasping for air or choking, dry mouth in the morning, headaches and migraines, moodiness, and daytime exhaustion. If one or more of these warning signs sound familiar, then we can offer a home sleep study to assess your risk and see if you need treatment. While we often treat the issue with an appliance, some people may actually benefit from sleep apnea surgery.

OSA Surgery

There are a number of different surgical options to address any issues with the mouth or throat tissues. With surgery, our team will trim excess tissues to correct abnormally sized or shaped tissues that could impact how well you breathe at night. Following treatment, this prevents blockages to the airways so you rest without difficulty. You also won’t need to wear an appliance or CPAP device at night either, enjoying a better night’s rest!

What About Oral Appliance Treatment?

For most patients, we treat the issue with an oral appliance. Basically, using detailed digital impressions and measurements, we create an oral appliance that will look and fit like a mouthguard. The device then repositions the jaw to help you breathe without difficulty, so you rest easy and enjoy an uninterrupted night of sleep. If you have any questions about treating sleep issues, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a good night’s rest, and if you schedule a visit now, you have a chance to use any remaining dental insurance benefits before they expire at the end of December!

Do You Have Questions About Sleep Treatment?

Our team would like to help you maintain optimal oral health, and even a better night’s sleep. For more information on our solutions to issues like OSA or to schedule a dental consultation, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.