Sleep apnea is a condition that impacts your breathing, your sleep quality, and your life. Patients with sleep apnea experience irregular breathing while they sleep, resulting in health issues such as fatigue, weight gain, memory loss, cardiovascular problems, and more. In many cases, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) provides effective relief of symptoms. For some patients with obstructive sleep apnea, however, CPAP is ineffective, and other treatments and corrective devices do not relieve symptoms. 

Fortunately, medical advancements have made jaw surgery a safe and effective way to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms permanently.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the result of an airway blockage caused by soft tissue that collapses and closes in the back of the throat. Most often used if the jaws are set back, jaw surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea moves the jaws forward to correct the obstructed airway and throat. Once the airway is cleared, patients can achieve restful sleep and breathe easier. Corrective jaw surgery also moves the tongue forward and enlarges the palate area, which promotes breathing and helps prevent snoring. 

Depending on the placement of the patient’s jaw, the upper jaw (maxilla) or lower jaw (mandible) are moved in a procedure called maxillomandibular advancement. If both the upper and lower jaws are moved forward, the surgery is called a bimaxillary advancement. 

Corrective jaw surgery for obstructive sleep apnea provides instant relief of sleep apnea symptoms in viable candidates of the procedure. The procedure has a minimal risk of complications, is less painful than other procedures, and creates more space for breathing. Plus, this medical procedure only results in a minimal change to your appearance and will not change your bite pattern. Correcting your sleep apnea will help you improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

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