Sleep Apnea & Your Jaw: When to See an Oral Surgeon
Loud snoring and waking up tired are easy to brush off. But for some people, these are signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted or restricted during sleep.
Because the jaws, tongue, and airway can all contribute to the problem, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can help look at whether your anatomy is playing a role. Here's what to know.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. It happens when the tissues of the throat and upper airway become blocked or collapse during sleep, disrupting restful sleep.
Common signs include:
- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep (often noticed by a bed partner)
- Restless sleep
- Morning headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
Repeated airway obstruction can interfere with restorative sleep and affect your daily quality of life, so these symptoms are worth taking seriously.
How Your Jaw and Airway Anatomy Can Play a Role
The space available for air to move through your upper airway depends partly on the structure of your face. The position of the upper and lower jaws, the position of the tongue, and the size of the airway can all affect how easily that space narrows or collapses during sleep.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have specialized training in facial skeletal surgery, so they can evaluate whether anatomical factors may be contributing to airway obstruction.
When to Consider an Oral Surgeon Evaluation
An evaluation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be helpful if:
- You have symptoms of sleep apnea and want to understand what may be causing them
- You've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and want to explore your options
- You continue to have symptoms despite using CPAP or other treatments
- You've been told your jaw position or facial structure may be affecting your airway
What happens during an evaluation?
A comprehensive sleep apnea evaluation begins with a detailed review of your symptoms, medical history, sleep patterns, and airway anatomy. Your surgeon may look at jaw position, facial structure, tongue position, and airway dimensions.
3D CBCT imaging may also be used to examine the jaws, facial structures, and airway in greater detail and assist with treatment planning.
Treatment Options: Non-Surgical and Surgical
Treatment depends on the type and severity of your sleep apnea, as well as the underlying cause. Surgery isn't the first step for most people.
Non-surgical approaches
Many patients begin with lifestyle changes, positive airway pressure therapy such as CPAP, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances can help reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway more open during sleep and may be appropriate for certain patients.
Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA)
When sleep apnea is related to the position of the jaws or other structural features, surgical treatment may be considered. Maxillomandibular advancement is a specialized jaw surgery in which the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) are repositioned forward to increase the space within the upper airway. In appropriately selected patients, this can help reduce airway obstruction during sleep.
Because MMA involves repositioning the facial bones, careful evaluation and planning are essential, and virtual surgical planning lets the team evaluate proposed jaw movements before treatment begins. If surgery is recommended, your surgeon will also discuss anesthesia and sedation options with you. Our article on sedation for oral surgery explains those options in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an oral surgeon help with sleep apnea?
Yes. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can evaluate whether the jaws, tongue position, or airway anatomy may be contributing to obstructive sleep apnea and discuss whether surgical or other treatment options may be appropriate.
Do I need surgery for sleep apnea?
Not necessarily. Many patients start with non-surgical treatments such as CPAP or oral appliance therapy. Surgery may be considered when jaw position or other structural features contribute to airway obstruction. Every case is different, and an evaluation helps determine the right approach.
What if CPAP isn't working for me?
Additional evaluation may help. Structural factors involving the jaws, tongue, nasal passages, or airway may play a role in ongoing obstruction.
Schedule a Sleep Apnea Evaluation
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or are still struggling with treatment, an evaluation can help you understand whether your jaw and airway anatomy may be contributing. The surgeons at Mountaineer Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dr. Byron Black and Dr. William Black, see patients at our offices at 1215 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV and 102 Memorial Dr, Ripley, WV.
Call Mountaineer Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons at 304-514-5500 to schedule a consultation, or visit our contact page to get in touch.