Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder, and can have a serious impact on your overall health and well-being if not treated. While many cases of sleep apnea can be treated through the use of oral appliances or CPAP devices, more severe cases may require surgical treatment. If you have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, Dr. David McAninch and Dr. Robert Kiken can provide you with a surgical treatment to help you breathe more easily while you sleep, and improve your health. To schedule a consultation with our oral surgeons, and to learn more about surgical sleep apnea treatment in Santa Barbara, California, please call our office today.

Sleep apnea occurs when your airways are blocked, usually by the tongue rolling back in the throat or by collapsed tissues in the airway. When untreated, sleep apnea can exacerbate other serious health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and liver problems. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Extreme daytime drowsiness
  • Snoring
  • Insomnia
  • Frequent headaches and migraines in the morning
  • Depression, irritability, and personality changes
  • Waking with a very dry or sore throat

Some common surgical treatment for sleep apnea include:

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – this is a common sleep apnea procedure. If you receive UPPP, our oral surgeons will remove excess tissue from the soft palate and pharynx. This will help prevent them from collapsing and blocking your airways.
  • Jaw advancement surgery – by moving the upper and lower jaw forward, we can increase the size of your airway and make it easier for you to breath at night.
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – this treatment reduces the size of the tongue and other soft tissues that may block airflow to the lungs.
  • Palatal implants – this treatment consists of small plastic rods which are implanted into the soft palate. They work to make the soft palate stiffer and prevent these tissues from blocking your airway.

For more information and to schedule your personal consultation with our experienced oral surgeons, please call Ocean Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery today.