PROCEDURES

Obstructive Sleep Disorders

TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP DISORDERS / SNORING

Obstructive sleep disorders frequently manifest themselves as some degree of snoring. This most commonly is reported by the bed partner or members sleeping in the same household. This snoring can simply be obnoxious, affecting more so, the sleep and overall health of the listener but it also commonly can be a warning sign, pointing to the presence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In addition, other signs are common and may indicate a sleep disorder. Some are listed below:

Excessive and unwarranted sweating during sleep
Frequent headaches upon waking in the morning
Awaking from sleep gasping for air
Excessive leg movement / kicking during sleep
Difficulty staying awake in the afternoon or evening or when placed in a quite room
Motor vehicle accidents or near misses due to falling asleep at the wheel

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

OSA, a potentially life threatening disease, is essentially the difficulty or inability to breath efficiently during sleep due to partial or complete airway collapse. As we all know, breathing is quite essential and when it is chronically compromised, a number of signs and symptoms can occur. Waking gasping for air at night, unreasonable night sweats, chronic morning headaches due to lack of oxygen to the brain, and excessive day time sleepiness can all point to the presence of some degree of OSA.. If left untreated, this chronic breathing difficulty and lack of oxygen can produce chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction and mental dullness.

The best way to diagnose this condition and its degree of severity is to undergo a sleep study. A formal night time sleep study administered in a sleep laboratory is the most reliable way to diagnose this condition. If the condition is found, various modes of treatment may be available including non-surgical and surgical options. The best treatment is frequently multi-factoral, requiring several options simultaneously.

What is the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s Role in Treatment?

We as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have been long involved as part of the treatment team to surgically treat obstructive sleep apneics with maxillary and mandibular (upper and lower jaw) advancement surgery, hyoid suspension, tongue-base suspension, genial segment advancements, and various palatoplasty procedures including laser-assisted surgery.

Mandibular Repositioning Appliance

Non-surgical options such as mandibular repositioning devices (MRA’s) are also provided by the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon or other dental providers versed in their fabrication and adjustment. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is therefore, an important member of the sleep disorder treatment team.

Dr. Stephens is a surgical consultant at the Huntington Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorders Center and works closely with the center for the care of patients with obstructive sleep disorders. The Huntington Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorders Center is an accredited sleep disorders center and is a major sleep care center in Southern California.

The Pacific Coast Center for Oral & Facial Surgery and our doctors routinely treat patients with all forms of Obstructive Sleep Disorders and therefore have the expertise and availability of various experts and resources to manage these types of disorders. We offer various surgical and non- surgical options for care and have an in-house Maxillofacial Technician to assist in the fabrication and fitting of Mandibular Repositioning Appliances (MRA’s).

Please feel free to contact us for a consultation if you feel that you or a loved one has this disorder.

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