Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea? Oral surgeons can help

Oral surgeons are trained and qualified to evaluate and treat sleep apnea disorders. Here at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists, our team of doctors can treat sleep apnea problems in patients of all ages in the San Francisco area.

More mild forms of sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, sleeping on your side, quitting smoking, or losing weight. Lower jaw advancement devices or breathing machines, like the CPAP machine, can also be used, but many patients find them to be uncomfortable.

Treatment for sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can be treated by using an oral appliance when you sleep, or with surgical intervention. An oral appliance fits like a sports mouthguard and is custom-fit to your mouth, so it will fit comfortably. Oral appliance therapy helps to maintain an open, unobstructed airway, so you will breathe efficiently while you sleep. Snoring is the common warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea, which is a condition where the muscles in your throat intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. By using a customized oral appliance, your airway will remain open and you will be able to breathe more easily and efficiently.

Some patients require surgical intervention for more severe sleep apnea cases, which we can safely perform in any of our comfortable oral surgery offices or in a hospital if your condition requires short-term hospitalization. For this procedure, your oral surgeon will remove, shrink, or stiffen excess tissue in the mouth or throat. If needed, your doctor will reset the position of the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both jaws to widen breathing passages. This procedure is highly effective, and you will notice a difference when you wake up and feel well-rested after a good night’s sleep.

How do I know if I need sleep apnea treatment?

You may need an oral surgeon to treat you for sleep apnea if you experience any of the following:

• Waking up with a sore or dry throat
• Loud snoring
• Waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
• Feeling tired after a full night’s rest
• Lack of energy throughout the day
• Restless sleep
• Headaches in the morning
• Forgetfulness or mood changes
• Awakening frequently or insomnia

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are interested in learning more about how the experts at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists can help treat your sleep apnea, please contact any of our offices in San Francisco, CA.