Surgical Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common form of sleep-disordered breathing that causes you to have shallow breathing or one or more pauses in your breathing while you sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and cause an ongoing disruption that moves you out of deep sleep and into light sleep. This is why many patients suffering from sleep apnea commonly feel tired even after they have slept all night long.

Many patients who suffer from sleep apnea do not know that they have the condition.

You may have sleep apnea if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Sleepiness or lack of energy after a full night’s rest
• Restless sleep patterns
• Loud snoring
• Morning headaches
• Insomnia
• Waking up with a gasping or choking sensation
• Waking up with a sore or dry throat

Your doctor or a sleep specialist can diagnose sleep apnea through a polysomnogram test, which records specific physical activities while you sleep. The test can be performed either at a sleep center or in the comfort of your home. Some patients who are diagnosed with sleep apnea can treat their condition at home by changing certain behaviors or utilizing dental devices. However, some sleep apnea cases are better solved through a surgical procedure performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

You may benefit from the surgical treatment of sleep apnea if

• Your sleep apnea cannot be corrected with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, alcohol avoidance, smoking cessation, or side sleeping.
• You experience discomfort or pain utilizing mouthpieces.
• You do not experience success or feel uncomfortable utilizing breathing devices, such as the CPAP machine.

If your doctor determines that your sleep apnea would be best treated through surgery, you will have an initial consultation with Dr. Simonton to discuss and formulate the best method of surgical treatment. Typically, the surgeon will widen your breathing passages by shrinking, stiffening, or removing excess tissue in the mouth and throat, or by resetting the position of the lower jaw. Your procedure may be performed in our office or a hospital, depending on the severity of your condition.

If you think that you may be a candidate for surgical treatment of sleep apnea and want to enjoy the benefits of a sound night’s sleep, please call us at Gainesville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Simonton has extensive surgical training, and our highly trained staff are happy to assist you throughout the process at either of our two office locations in Gainesville or Watkinsville, GA. Please call us today to set up an initial consultation.

Where can I get sleep apnea treated near Gainesville, GA?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Fred Simonton, is a specialist in providing solutions for the treatment of complex oral and dental health problems, including the surgical treatment of sleep apnea. With two office locations in Gainesville and Watkinsville, GA, Dr. Simonton and his staff serve a wide region, including cities in Georgia as well as cities in South Carolina and North Carolina.