Sleep apnea is a disorder that afflicts many Americans today. If you notice that you suffer from mental fogginess, fatigue during the day, or issues with attention or memory, you may have sleep apnea. Continue reading to find out more.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing interruption that takes place during the various stages of sleep. Basically, a person experiences an interruption in their regular breathing that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. These frequent interruptions over a full night’s sleep can have many adverse effects on your health.
Surgery is a potential treatment for sleep apnea, but there are non-surgical treatments that can be viable options based on your circumstances and symptoms.
Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)
The surgery by this name is one of the most effective sleep apnea solutions and involves adjustments to the bone structure of the lower and upper jaws to adjust the soft tissues of the mouth. The soft palate and tongue are both manipulated to keep the airways free of potential obstructions.
Surgery for the Soft Palate
For some patients, the soft palate is what can cause the interruptions in breath to occur while you sleep. In surgery for the soft palate, parts of it may be removed or tightening of it can be done to help prevent it from falling into the path of the breathing passages.
Nasal Surgery
For sleep apnea patients it can also be wise to revise the nasal cavity and airways surgically. This may involve addressing issues with a deviated septum or other respiratory problems.
What is Right for Me?
In order to truly know what is right for you and your health, it is always best to speak with a dental care professional and a general health professional before making any decisions on your own. If you live in the Illinois area, we at Family Dental Care™ have many different offices in many different locations to make great dental care available to you no matter where you’re located. If you would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call or book an appointment on our website. We can’t wait to meet you and your family.
