Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the United States, affecting 22 million people across the country. The condition occurs when a person repeatedly starts and stops breathing during sleep. In severe cases, this can happen hundreds of times a night, interfering with a person’s quality of sleep and resulting in fatigue the next day. While treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and oral appliances work in many cases, other patients may require oral surgery. If you’re struggling to find relief from sleep apnea, here are a few surgeries your doctor may recommend. 

3 Surgeries to Cure Sleep Apnea

1. Septoplasty & Turbinate Reduction

If you have a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, you may struggle to breathe at night. Turbinates are bones, vessels, and tissues in the nasal passages, and the septum is the partition that separates your nostrils. This is a simple procedure that straightens the septum and reduces the size of the turbinates. Patients are put under general anesthesia, and the surgery can be performed in less than one hour. By practicing proper care post-operation and following the instructions of your oral surgeon, you can expedite healing time and maximize your results.

2. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) 

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgery for sleep apnea. It involves removing excess tissue in your throat to widen the air passage. After the tissue is removed, sutures are inserted to keep the airways open. This procedure greatly improves snoring and mild sleep apnea but requires more recovery time than septoplasty and turbinate reduction. Patients usually need to stay in the hospital overnight and may experience painful symptoms for up to one week.

3. Maxillomandibular Osteotomy (MMO) 

If you have severe sleep apnea, you may need a maxillomandibular osteotomy (MMO). This procedure moves your jaw forward to widen the breathing area in the throat. This type of surgery requires months of recovery and patients may need their jaw wired shut while it heals. However, it’s one of the most effective long-term solutions for serious cases.

If sleep apnea is affecting your quality of life, the team at Oral Surgery Associates of Central Georgia in Warner Robins, GA, can help. Dr. Tom Szakal has been performing dental implant procedures, jaw surgery, and procedures for sleep apnea since 1997. A board-certified diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, he is well-respected as an expert in the field and known widely for providing professional and compassionate care. To learn more about home sleep apnea tests to confirm your diagnosis, visit their website, or call (478) 971-8811 to schedule a consultation today.