Sleep Apnea Treatment - CATONSVILLE, MD

Treatment for Better Sleep and Health

The Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

If you’re living with sleep apnea, the effects of this dangerous condition often cause noticeable problems with your sleep and day-to-day life: loud snoring, chronic fatigue, loss of concentration, memory problems, and even systemic health complications like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems.

Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated cessations in breathing during sleep that can range from mild (5-15 events per hour) to severe (over 30 events per hour). Sleep apnea occurs when the tongue and soft tissues block the upper airway and halt airflow to the lungs. As oxygen levels decrease, the brain responds by partially waking the sleeper to resume airflow, which usually occurs with a loud gasp. These events can have serious and life-threatening consequences. If you snore loudly or have other signs of this condition, we encourage you to visit our experienced oral surgeon for personalized sleep apnea treatment in Catonsville, MD.

Evaluating Sleep Apnea with the Mallampati Score

Anatomic features of the upper airway may be contributing to your obstructive sleep apnea. Using the Mallampati classification is a simple way we can initially evaluate your risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Mallampati Score

30 Years of Expertise Treating Sleep Apnea

Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. David Bastacky, has three decades of training and expertise in sleep apnea treatment in Catonsville, MD that can resolve your symptoms and improves your quality of life. Oral surgeons pursue advanced and specialized education and surgical training for a minimum of four years after dental school. Oral surgeons like Dr. Bastacky have the extensive knowledge of your condition to provide the full range of sleep apnea treatments, including oral appliances, soft tissue surgery, and jaw advancement surgery. We will assess the cause of your obstructive sleep apnea and if surgical sleep apnea treatment is necessary, will recommend the best solution for your situation.

Treatment for All Cases of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea treatment often begins with the most conservative treatments and therapies. This may include weight loss programs, CPAP machines, and oral appliances which help keep the tongue and tissues from blocking the upper airway during sleep. Many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea find that these conservative options help reduce symptoms and improve their sleep without the need for additional treatment.

Surgery for sleep apnea may be necessary when more conservative treatment has failed to improve symptoms. These surgeries can include soft palate surgery (UPPP), tongue repositioning, tonsillectomy, or nasal recontouring (septoplasty). Removing portions of the soft tissues can create a wider airway to help improve breathing during sleep.

Severe sleep apnea cases may need more advanced surgical treatment such as orthognathic surgery to bring the lower jaw forward. This helps broaden the upper airway to reduce obstruction during sleep.

Severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes be attributed to the position of the lower jaw. If we determine that maxillomandibular advancement surgery can benefit your situation, Dr. Bastacky will complete your orthognathic surgery using the latest surgical technologies, including Materialise 3D surgery planning to improve predictability, efficiency, and safety. This procedure involves moving the lower jaw forward to enlarge the upper airway at multiple levels. A larger airway is more resistant to obstruction during sleep and can provide life-changing improvements in the quality of your sleep and your overall life.

Restoring Health and Function with Jaw Surgery

Why Receive Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Proper assessment and personalized treatment from our oral surgeon can provide you with numerous and long-lasting benefits, including:

  • More restful and rejuvenating sleep
  • Reduced risk of cardiovascular problems
  • Lower blood pressure levels
  • Increased mood and energy
  • Improved concentration and memory
  • Better health and quality of life

Live a healthier, more energized life.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Bastacky today.

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