Sleep Apnea Treatment
Is sleep apnea keeping you from getting a good night’s rest? At Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, our doctors specialize in providing comprehensive evaluations, sleep assessments, and personalized treatment for sleep apnea. With our advanced treatment methods, you can be on your way to sleeping soundly in no time.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common disorder characterized by abnormal reductions in breathing while an individual is asleep. Studies estimate that around 30 million Americans have sleep apnea, yet only approximately 6 million have been diagnosed due to the difficulty in recognizing nighttime symptoms. If you think you have sleep apnea, keep an eye out for these warning signs and symptoms:
- Excessive fatigue and daytime drowsiness
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Waking up with a choking sensation
- Loud snoring
- Persistent headaches that last for hours after waking up
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Irritability or frustration
- Reduced focus
The most definitive symptom is experiencing episodes where you stop breathing during sleep. Numerous factors contribute to sleep disorders, often related to a patient’s jaw structure. For this reason, anyone experiencing disordered sleep should consult an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). Through surgical or non-surgical intervention, an OMS can identify and treat conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea, giving you back control over your life.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
The first step towards sleep apnea treatment is recognizing your symptoms and visiting an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a comprehensive evaluation. Once we confirm this condition, we can build you a customized sleep apnea treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes, a PAP (positive airway pressure) machine, oral appliances, and surgery.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes may include losing weight, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and drugs, sleeping on your side, avoiding certain sleep pills, quitting all forms of nicotine, and avoiding certain medications.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances help to reposition the jaws and stabilize the tongue to keep the airway open during sleep. You should try different devices before finding one that works for you. Once you find the right fit, follow-up appointments with your doctor are recommended during the first year, and then regular appointments are made to ensure that the fit is still ideal.
Positive Airway Pressure Machines
A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) machine treats sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing issues by delivering airflow through a mask to help keep your airways open. There are various types of PAP machines; your doctor will recommend the best type for you.
Oral Surgery
If all other non-invasive treatment methods have failed, surgery may be necessary for sleep apnea. Depending on your circumstances, your doctor may recommend tissue removal, jaw repositioning, dental implants, tonsils removal, maxillomandibular advancement surgery or anterior inferior mandibular osteotomy.
We're Here for You
When it comes to sleep apnea, you can trust that we will work hard to provide you with the best possible treatment that delivers exceptional results. If you are ready to get a better night’s sleep, contact us at one of our many locations and schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon today.
